Ian has extensive experience in the water and drinks industry. Graduating in Hotel Management, he enjoyed a career in hospitality before entering the drinks sector. As commercial director of The UK Water Group, he helped its dynamic growth from start-up to UK market leader within 6 years. During that time he was pivotal in the creation of the European POU Drinking Water Association, becoming a founding member and first chairman. His vision and strategic ability has led to successfully heading up operations and finance within the hospitality and beverage market places.
Mark is a results driven, senior sales, marketing and business growth specialist with 20+ years’ executive level achievements.Originally benefited from renowned, blue chip FMCG graduate training with Procter & Gamble and then intensive, ‘sales management’ coaching by Mars UK. Tenacious achiever of business, people and sales related challenges. Strong ability to conceptualise and translate corporate strategy into workable and understandable objectives that motivate colleagues and delight clients. Proven innovative & entrepreneurial pedigree as evidenced by development & ultimate sale of UK Water Group from zero base to value of £6.4M in just a few years.
Richard brings a wealth of experience gained from 25 years in the luxury Hotel and Restaurant Industry. Achieving the coveted Michelin star he demonstrated his ability to lead and mentor winning teams. His proven ability to exceed customer expectations and build long-term trusted relationships into a loyal customer base, has led to tripling turnover within 3 years. Richard and Ian joined forces in 2017 to launch a new concept in enhanced sports hydration strategically positioned in the health and wellness industry. The business was then awarded the sole UK distribution rights for BodyShake, a bespoke protein shake system. Richard’s sales and marketing skills in customer acquisition and retention are an ideal combination.
Ms. Solooki is the CO-Founder and President of the company, running and developing retail and online sales operations as well as strategically developing channel partner relations while brainstorming new ideas, sales technics and vision for the company. Prior to founding Smart Soda Julia held a series of leadership positions in the health care services arena, responsible for marketing and sales strategy as well as a committee seat on the Board of education for Healthcare Billing Management Association.
Mr. Lior Shafir is a highly ranked executive in the water and beverage industry, and has demonstrated growth and leadership skills throughout his 20 year career in the field. His global marketing strategy and sales precision tactics have landed him great opportunities both in the local and global markets. Serving as past exclusive distributor of Soda Stream Professional USA. In 2015 the company launched its preliminary product line while still evaluating the market demand and has sold $1.5M+ in revenue 2015/2016 alone.
Mr. Solomon Mayer, also known as Sol, has been Interim CEO of Ironwood Gold Corp. since September 2015. Mr. Mayer has been CEO and President of Mooney Aviation Company since 1999. Mr. Mayer has been VP of International Medical Search Co. Sol is a senior business executive with expertise in business relations, sales and marketing, corporate management and enterprise financial path growth and operation, purchasing and negations for multi-million dollar businesses and organizations in diverse industries both nationally and internationality.
Alex is an experienced sales professional with a successful track record of sales within the vending and food service industries. He is focused on direct and indirect sales efforts, strategic partnerships, and cultivating relationships.
Helen has been a designer and art director throughout a broad range of industries for varied clients, for over twenty years. She’s worked as both staff and consultant at agencies large and small, and has contributed to virtually every phase of the process. Helen heads up Smart Soda’s design, visual communication and branding department.
Prior to joining SmartSoda, Ben worked as a Lighting Designer for his alma mater Biola University while also doing creative work as a freelance artist. His work for past clients includes web design, branding, and apparel design for various small businesses. He is a skilled production artist with a strong attention to detail and is eager to contribute as a member of the SmartSoda team.
As an office manager, Jane is in charge of all the financial and administrative responsibilities. Jane joined the company in 2019.
She is in charge of all the A/P, A/R, analyzing business expenses and revenues. Jane graduated CSU with a degree in BA. During her free time, she loves to spend time with her family, travel to new places, read and learn more about different countries and cultures.
Meredith, an accomplished project manager, coordinates plans, and executes installations for Smart Soda as well as all trade shows where the company participates. Customers benefit from her attention to detail and devotion to top customer experience.
Bogdan joins SmartSoda as a master beverage technician with over 15 years of experience installing, repairing, and maintaining beverage systems in restaurants, convenience stores, and businesses. He excels not only in his technical ability but also in customer service and relations.
Lonnie comes to SmartSoda with over 25 years’ experience managing installation and repair teams in the beverage industry. Customers love his attention to detail and ability to solve their challenges.
Mr. Glickman is the managing principal at McCarthy Lebit. Since joining the firm in 2004, he has litigated matters on behalf of plaintiffs and defendants in State and Federal Courts involving white collar crime, construction, securities, employment issues, intellectual property litigation, and professional negligence. In 2001, Mr. Glickman was appointed by Governor Bob Taft to serve as Judge for the Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas. Mr. Glickman graduated from Case Western Reserve University School of Law in 1992. He has served as adjunct professor of law at Cleveland State University’s Cleveland-Marshall College of Law, teaching advanced trial advocacy.
Jennifer Berthelot-Jelovic is the President and CEO of A SustainAble Production, LLC (ASAP). Jennifer is an expert in the International WELL Building Institute’s (IWBI) WELL Building Standard. Jennifer was one of the first Provisional WELL APs, WELL APs, and WELL Faculty in the world. As a WELL Consultant, Jennifer has worked on various WELL Pilots and Projects for New & Existing Interiors, New & Existing Buildings, Core & Shell, Retail, Education, Multi-family, Communities, All Projects In, Industrial, Warehouse, Senior Care, Assisted Living, Portfolios, and more. Jennifer is currently overseeing the certifications for many firsts in WELL, LEED, and Net Zero Energy.
Mr. Boros is the Owner and Chief Operating Officer of Salsa Management, Inc, who are the original Franchises of Lime Fresh Mexican Grill, a Miami born fast-casual concept. Nick, a Florida Certified Public Accountant, left his career in public accounting with Deloitte in 2007 to jump into the new emerging fast-casual segment within the hospitality industry. Fourteen years later, Salsa Management operates seven locations across south Florida. Nick graduated with a BBA in accounting and MAcc FROM University of Georgia in 2002.
Chef Douglas Katz owner of Zhug, Chimi and soon-to-open Amba restaurants, is passionate about using high-quality fresh ingredients with integrity. He also serves as a chef ambassador for the Monterey Bay Aquarium’s Seafood watch program, promoting environmentally responsible fishing and fish farming. Chef Katz also works as a consultant for upstart food companies. He serves on the board of the Countryside in the Cuyahoga Valley National Park and is the Chef Partner at The Cleveland Museum of Art. He has held leadership positions with Destination Cleveland and Cleveland Independents, an organization of 90 locally owned restaurants nurturing and promoting local independent restaurants.
Dr. Xanthos has a background in Mechanical Engineering with specialization in experimental fluid mechanics (Ph.D. 2004,City University, NYC). He has served as a research consultant on the development of a 3D CFD model investigating the hydrodynamic behavior of activated sludge in Final Clarifiers of Water Pollution Control Plants since 2005. This model has been supplemented with bench scale experiments and historical data and the findings of this modeling endeavor have been implemented directly in NYC plants managed by the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) of NY. He has awarded and collaborated in many different types of grants Dr. Xanthos co-authored the book, “Urban Water Distribution Networks: Assessing Systems Vulnerabilities, Failures, and Risks” in 2017. Dr. Xanthos, is currently a full time employee as the COO of Bareburger Group, in which he has been instrumental in supply chain and procurement optimization and operational business development focusing on productivity growth.
Mr. Oron is a Founder and CEO of GO Realty Holdings, LLC a real estate investment company focusing on unique value add transactions from ground up developments to multi family and office buildings acquisitions. Alongside Real Estate, Mr Oron has been investing in a variety of businesses including high tech startups and restaurants. Mr. Oron has had great interest in politics and public service. Mr. Oron is involved in various community bodies and currently serves as a board member of the Holocaust Memorial in Miami Beach, FL. Mr. Oron earned a business degree in Management and Entrepreneurship from the University of Miami School of Business. Mr. Oron also holds a real estate license in the State of Florida.
Sean is a US Navy veteran of Operation Desert Storm and co-founder of Swain Distribution Inc, a 35 year old power utility supply company. Sean was in the first 1000 graduates of the Veterans Institute for Procurement program, an intense training program for Veteran Owned Small Businesses. He has since guided his company to obtaining a GSA contract, HUBZone certification, and has been awarded several contracts through bidding. Sean has 27 years of sales experience with the last 10 being focused on government contracts. Prior to his role as President at Swain Distribution Inc, he contracted with companies such as Bechtel, Raytheon, GE, and Washington Group International as an ultrasonic NDE technician with the automated scanning system for inspection in Nuclear Power facilities and petrochemical plants all over the world.
Doron’s experience spans 3 decades of working in the US market importing, representing and developing food products for Club stores including Costco, BJ’S, Sam’s Club, and Walmart. As President and owner of Brogan Enterprises, he introduced the Sabra hummus brand to Costco and the US market which is currently doing over one billion dollars in sales. Since its founding in 2002, under Doron’s leadership, Brogan has successfully placed hundreds of products into the club store arena. Prior to starting Brogan, Doron was a Partner of Gold Star Chocolate, importers of the Cemoi Group Chocolate Company from France. With Gold Star, Doron created the first private label chocolate program for Costco. Doron has an MBA from the University of New Haven and is bi-lingual in English and Hebrew with proficiency in conversational Spanish.
Yaron is the managing member of ZG Properties, LLC and has been active in real estate management of apartment buildings since August 2003.
In addition, Yaron actively manages an accounting firm (Goldberg Advisory Services, LLC), servicing small to medium business clients in Ohio and Pennsylvania. Goldberg Advisory has 8 accountants and support staff. In addition to assisting clients in Tax compliance, Yaron is actively consulting clients on all aspects of their family and business issues
Prior to forming ZG Properties, LLC, Yaron worked with a variety of business clients as an accountant and business consultant in public accounting for the last 13 years. His experience includes working for Zinner & Co. LLP, Arthur Anderson LLP and PricewaterhouseCooper LLP).
In this capacity, Yaron got involved in areas such as M&A, Turnaround work, Banking and refinancing presentation and strategic planning. Many of Yaron’s clients were and still are real estate management companies.
Yaron is a licensed CPA in the state of Ohio and an active member of the Ohio Society of CPAs.
Jeffrey is currently Managing Member of Binyon Properties Ltd. and Z.G. Properties, LLC. He is also operations manager for Kingston Estates Management, LLC. These are full service real estate investment and management companies specializing in real estate opportunity. Presently, Jeff has over 2000 units under his direct control and has been active in various other aspects of real estate for over 25 years.
Prior to opening Binyon Properties Ltd. and working full time in real estate, Jeff’s entrepreneurialism brought him to own and operate a full service high volume car wash for 14 years. He also started, owned and actively managed a chain of five-dollar stores for five years.
Jeff specializes in team building, sales training and motivational speaking with regards to the property management industry. He runs monthly employee meetings covering all of these aspects.
Jawad Bisbis is the Global VP of Marketing at Ball Corporation where he leads marketing and partnerships for Ball’s aluminum cup business. Prior to that, he was VP Proprietary Beverages at 7-Eleven where he oversaw the US dispensed beverages business including coffee, fountain and frozen across 10,000 stores.
Before joining 7-Eleven, he was a VP of Marketing at Focus Brands, a foodservice chain that owns bakery, beverage, and fast casual restaurant concepts. In that role, he provided marketing leadership across more than 50 international markets and 2000 stores. Jawad also worked for Luxottica (owner of Ray-Ban, Oakley and Sunglass-Hut) as Group marketing director for Middle-East & Africa, based in Dubai. Prior to that role, he spent fifteen years with The Coca-Cola Company with his latest position being the Global Director – Sports brands based in Atlanta. In that role, he was responsible for the marketing of the company’s global sport drinks portfolio including Powerade and Aquarius.
Jawad started his marketing career with Procter & Gamble where he held various brand management positions. He holds a Master’s Degree from Kedge Business School in France and is fluent in Arabic and French. When he is not working, he enjoys watching soccer, playing tennis, and mentoring college and early career youths in underserved communities. He is married and has two kids.
Tropical delight. Slightly sweet, floral with a hint of evergreen