ABOUT KESI MANAGEMENT
Founded in 2018, KESI Management is a Food + Beverage company that specializes in providing comprehensive
and tailored full-service solutions to the Food + Beverage Industry. Our solutions cover a wide range of areas including
operations, management, logistics, finance, and more, addressing various touchpoints and levels within the industry.
Through our shared infrastructure and fully-equipped foundation, KESI Management offers these services
through three main divisions, ensuring that our clients receive the support they need to thrive in a competitive market.
Strategic Consulting Group (SCG)
Engineering Innovation Group (EIG)
Innovative Sales + Design Group (ISDG)
Leveraging our extensive expertise in the Food + Beverage Industry, KESI Management
is committed to keeping our clients at the forefront of innovation.
We constantly strive to identify emerging trends and technologies that can give our clients a competitive edge.
Whether you're a small, local business or a multinational corporation, we can help you reach new levels of success.
Our solutions are custom-tailored and unique to each client, ensuring that they align perfectly with your objectives.
Our thorough assessments provide valuable insights into your business operations, helping
you make informed decisions and optimize your performance.
To gain a deeper understanding of our capabilities and track record, we invite you to explore our
extensive collection of case studies showcasing our past successes, or see
how we can leverage our experience in your unique situation by scheduling a consultation today.
OUR MISSION
We are food + beverage industry experts, leveraging our experience and passion through transparency, problem-solving, and innovation to propel our clients and partners to success, while establishing ourselves as trusted leaders in the industry.
OUR VISION
To lead the food + beverage industry through cutting edge innovation and strategy to continuously push the boundaries forward for process and profitability.
LEADERSHIP TEAM
AUSTIN KIRTLEY
FOUNDER & MANAGING PARTNER,
KESI MANAGEMENT
Proven leader and expert in Food & Manufacturing operations, financial strategy and supply chain optimization. Austin’s experience includes partnering in and with a variety of different companies and industries including perishable, 3PL, Supply Chain Logistics, SaaS, Warehousing, Food and Beverage manufacturing, Food safety, and more. Austin’s personable nature and ability to connect the dots for clients in order to remove barriers and realize success is his greatest strength.
Rubicon Foods | Board Member
Anderson University | MBA
Indiana University | BA Kelley School Of Business
MEHRDAD ERFAN
FOUNDER & MANAGING PARTNER,
KESI MANAGEMENT
Collaborative problem solver and leader who uses financial modeling, Lean/Six Sigma methodology, data analytics, and negotiating strengths to drive P&L-focused projects and deliver value for growing operations. Mehrdad drives bottom-line savings as well as revenue growth across the business. A constant learner, Mehrdad’s background in data and engineering provides foundational knowledge in his pursuit of entrepreneurial innovative solutions for clients and partners.
Rubicon Foods | Board Member
University of South Florida, MUMA College of Business | MBA
University of South Florida | BA Industrial Engineering
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DUSTIN VARVIL
A leader in engineering and high-volume manufacturing in food, beverage, and ready-to-eat industries. Dustin is experienced in driving a safety and fiscally responsible culture through formulating and executing business plans, developing key personnel, and producing innovative solutions that drive results.
Cargill Animal Nutrition | Plant Manager
Ridley, Inc. | Director of Operations/Engineering
SpartanNash | Director of Engineering
STRATEGIC ADVISORS
BOB KIRCH
KESI ADVISOR
A produce visionary, Bob Kirch has scaled and built one of the country’s top produce suppliers located in the Midwest. By proactively focusing on the market trends he has been able to be a step ahead of the market which helped build his portfolio of investments and companies.
Caito Foods | President & CEO
Heartland Ventures | Limited Partner
SoChatti | Board Member/Advisor
Iota Communications | Limited Partner
TONY MITCHELL
KESI ADVISOR
A Sales and Procurement Industry leader who has demonstrated success in every category of fresh across multiple markets and regions. Tony’s market and product knowledge has made him a key go to for many clients across the industry. His network connections provide invaluable insight into market trends and product shifts.
Associated Wholesale Grocers | VP Corporate Produce
Vision Import Group | VP or Sales & Business Dev
SpartanNash | VP Produce Sales & Procurement
Caito Foods | VP Sales, Marketing & Procurement
JEFF MILLER
KESI ADVISOR
An Operations Leader with demonstrated success in enabling organizations to succeed through strategic and tactical operational and administrative improvements. A systematic problem solver who drives critical thought into the organization. Recognized for extensive hands-on experience in the application of lean principles within the food industry.
Delphi Corporation | General Manager
Deutsche Lurthansas AG | LSG Sky Chef: SVP
Oliver Wyman | Lead Consulting
SpartanNash Fresh Manufacturing | GM/VP Sales
Caito Foods | VP Sales, Marketing & Procurement
Brandon Tucker
KESI ADVISOR
With over 16 years of experience in operations management, supply chain, and procurement, Brandon has a wide range of experience within Fortune 500, mid tier, and startup organizations. Brandon has lead teams from 100+ hourly employees at the operations level, to global supply chain teams including 25 direct reports, spanning 4 continents, and 6 countries. He has been primarily focused in CPG, private label, and branded organizations, but also has experience in the electronics and aerospace industries.
Hero Bread | VP of Operations
Heartland Food Products Group | Sr. Director
of Global Supply Chain
Catio Foods | Director of Supply Chain
Craftmark Bakery | Director of Procurement & Planning
Incora | VP of Supply Chain
JOHN TUCKER
KESI ADVISOR
A Food Industry veteran with extensive experience in an array of market offerings. John has led some of the top well-known and recognized companies across the country. His track record and expertise in scaling and taking companies has been proven over and over again over the course of his career.
Ellenos Real Greek Yogurt | CEO
Farmhouse Culture | CEO
Dave's Killer Bread | CEO
Dave's Killer Bread Foundation | President
SO Delicious Dairy Free | President
KESI MANAGEMENT
LEADING THE CHARGE IN FOOD + BEVERAGE INNOVATION
Better Solutions. Empowered People.
CONNECT WITH KESI
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