Nutrition Zone - Corporate Team
CEO & FOUNDER, JOE ECKSTROM
Joe Eckstrom is the Founder and CEO of Nutrition Zone Enterprises, Inc. Prior to launching Nutrition Zone, he was the owner and operator of three nutrition and supplement franchise stores in Orange County, California. Sensing that the franchise company was not capable of providing him the necessary support, he broke away and formed the Nutrition Zone brand. Although he became disenchanted with the franchise company, he was convinced that the franchising system was the best method to build a national brand in the retail sports nutrition and supplement market segment. With a personal philosophy that people are your greatest business asset, Mr. Eckstrom launched Nutrition Zone with a dedication to helping others live a healthier lifestyle and to improve the quality of their lives. His passionate vision compelled him to aggressively expand the presence of Nutrition Zone nationally with plans to grow a global brand in the near future.“Nutrition Zone is an extraordinary company with extraordinary customer loyalty. I am excited every day to be working with our outstanding corporate team to expand our leadership position in this emerging sports nutrition and supplement business. We fully realize that there are unlimited growth opportunities for us both domestically and internationally,” said Eckstrom.
CORPORATE CPA, LaDell Eyre
LaDell Eyre graduated from Southern Utah University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Accounting and a Masters of Accounting Degree with honors. He is a licensed CPA with over nineteen years of experience and is the managing partner in the accounting firm of Kohler & Eyre CPA’s, LLP. LaDell has had extensive experience as a tax consultant with the national firm Deloitte & Touche, LLP in Phoenix, Arizona where he specialized in corporate tax structures and taxation laws. He returned to Southern Utah and worked with Southern Utah’s largest accounting firm for several years before serving as the Chief Financial Officer for Quantum Construction and its subsidiaries, a major real estate development company in the State of Utah. In 2004, Kohler & Eyre, CPA’s, LLP was formed as a full service payroll, tax, and accounting CPA firm.
VICE PRESIDENT OF SALES, VINCENT ROMERO
Vincent Romero joined the Nutrition Zone corporate team in March 2008, as the Director of Operations. In 2009 Mr. Romero became the Vice President of Sales where he has greatly expanded Nutrition Zone’s employee training and certification programs, and has taken the franchise experience to new heights. Through constant education and research Mr. Romero has become a leader in nutrional knowledge and sales tactics, which has helped propel Nutrition Zone to being the premier franchise in supplementation. From June 2003, to October 2005, he was employed by General Nutrition Centers, Inc. where he quickly rose to managing two franchises in Southern California. Most recently Mr. Romero has been the owner/operator of Nutrition Zone Anaheim Hills. His knowledge and expertise in Nutrition Zone operations and marketing make him a valuable asset to our team.
DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS, MICHAEL BIRES
Michael Bires joined the Nutrition Zone corporate team early in 2009 but his experience in the nutrition industry dates back to early 2000. His beginning came as a part-time employee at a local health food store while he was still in school. He quickly worked his way to the top and in 2001 he was given his own store to manage. Within one year, he grew his store to the number one store in the company. In 2004, Michael purchased his own store and within two years he had grown his business to four successful stores. It didn’t take long for Nutrition Zone to hear about Michael and is entrepreneurial spirit so in 2009 he was offered and accepted a position with Nutrition Zone. Michael’s vast knowledge of vitamins, herbs, supplements, and health foods paired with his education and experience in business management make him the best in the business. This pursuit of excellence is what has helped propel Nutrition Zone to the top of the industry.CORPORATE CONTROLLER, CONSTANCE REID
Constance Reid joined Nutrition Zone as Corporate Controller in March 2008. She comes from a long career in business management and real estate sales. For the previous sixteen years, she was a director and corporate officer for WSR Sales & Management in Riverside, CA. At WSR, she served as General Manager and also maintained a large portfolio of commercial and residential accounts where she was responsible for negotiating leases, maintaining owner accounts, accounts receivable/payable, and regular generation and reporting of accounts. Ms. Reid is responsible for all financial matters relative to corporate activities and franchisee relations.DIRECTOR OF PRODUCT DISTRIBUTION AND DEVELOPMENT, CHRIS JOHNSTON
Chris Johnston joined the Nutrition Zone corporate team in early 2008, to oversee and ensure efficient product distribution and warehouse operations. He now oversees all manufacturing and product production to ensure that Nutrition Zone's products continue to be "the best of the best." Chris also has vast experience in international relations, making him a key member of the Nutrition Zone team as the company continues to expand globally.RISK MANAGEMENT ADVISOR, RACHELLE WITHERS
Rachelle Withers is Nutrition Zone’s Risk Management Advisor and has served as an independent insurance and risk management consultant for Nutrition Zone since its founding. Rachelle has credentials in property & casualty and life & health insurance. Over the past thirteen years she has worked with hundreds of clients in many different business industries and is highly qualified to provide quality risk management and insurance solutions for our team. With a strong knowledge of agency management, implementation of new agencies, and her involvement in insurance advisories for better business practices, Rachelle is an important asset to Nutrition Zone’s franchise development program.GENERAL COUNSEL, KEVIN RIVA
Kevin Riva has been Legal Counsel to Nutrition Zone since 2003. Mr. Riva has maintained a private practice law firm since August 2000. He handles all corporate and franchisee-related legal matters for Nutrition Zone Enterprises, Inc.
CORPORATE COUNSEL, MARK KOHLER
Mark J. Kohler is an attorney, CPA, entrepreneur, author, radio show host
and real estate investor. Mark’s principal career has been as a partner in
the accounting firms Kohler & Eyre CPAs, LLP, NumberWon Accountants, LLP, and the law firm Kyler, Kohler, Ostermiller, & Sorensen, LLP, where he specializes in the areas of business, estate and tax planning. He is the author of What Your CPA Isn’t Telling You: Life-Changing Tax Strategies (Entrepreneur Press) and Lawyers are Liars (Life’s Plan Publishing). He is a personal and small business and legal expert, who helps clients build and protect wealth through wealth management strategies, and business and tax remedies often overlooked in this challenging, ever-changing economic climate. A well regarded speaker on this topic, his seminars have helped tens of thousands of individuals and small business owners navigate the maze of legal, regulatory and financial laws to greater success and wealth. Mark is a contributing writer to Entrepreneur.com as well as several other news outlets. Some of his recent articles have been published by MSNBC, Yahoo Finance and Reuters. Mark is a proud father of four beautiful children and husband to his lovely wife Jennifer. They reside in Orange County, California, where Mark trains for triathlons and surfs in his free time.
GENERAL COUNSEL, ERICA STUMP
Ms. Stump focuses her practice on business litigation with a particular emphasis on intellectual property and the needs of dietary supplement companies, including commercial litigation, regulatory compliance, review of contracts, and general business advice. Ms. Stump is a member of the Florida bar and is admitted to practice before the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida and the United States Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit.
Ms. Stump graduated from Florida Atlantic University with a degree in Finance and International Business (B.S., 1997) and the University of Miami School of Law (J.D., magna cum laude, 1994) where she was an Articles and Comments Editor and member of the University of Miami Inter American Law Review.
Ms. Stump started her legal career as an associate at in Miami at Broad and Cassel, where she practiced intellectual property and commercial litigation. She went on to focus more intently on intellectual property law at a boutique firm in Miami, Feldman, Gale & Weber, managing trademark portfolios, performing international and domestic trademark prosecution, litigating false advertising, trademark, trade dress, and business disputes, and drafting contracts. From there, she went in house at VPX/Redline, where she was General Counsel. She worked with VPX/Redline for 6 years, handling all of the company’s legal affairs, including intellectual property, trademark, trade dress, false advertising, patent, and business litigation, regulatory compliance, and drafting and reviewing contracts. She went to Boise, Idaho to become General Counsel at Bodybuilding.com and handled all of the company’s legal affairs, similar to her experience at VPX/Redline, with an emphasis on DSHEA compliance and FDA/FTC issues. Ms. Stump has handled appeals to the 9th and 11th Circuit Courts of Appeal, all aspects of litigation, discovery, injunctions, and depositions. She’s well versed in FDA/FTC compliance issues. She’s successfully defeated an injunction for false advertising brought by Monster Energy Drink against Redline Power Shot, successfully settled a trademark infringement case brought by Red Bull against Redline, has litigated trademark and trade dress issues against CytoSport, and has registered hundreds of trademarks with the Patent and Trademark Office. Ms. Stump also taught trademark law at the University of Miami School of Law for 2 years.
E-COMMERCE MANAGER, AARON ROBERTSON
Aaron Robertson has been in the internet business since 1994 and has gained much experience in user interface design, web marketing, eCommerce, multimedia, development structure, SEO and how it all relates for the customer and the company. While handling the development and marketing for Crevier BMW the dealership was the #1 selling BMW dealer in the western hemisphere. For over 10 years he managed Metropolitan Water District of Southern California's 8+ web sites with well over 650,000 documents. Long into fitness and an active lifestyle he's found a natural fit with Nutrition Zone.FRANCHISE SIGNAGE SPECIALIST, BILL COWLES
Bill Cowles brings to the Nutrition Zone Management Team a wealth of knowledge and over 25 years experience in the application of fixtures and signage for the retail industry. He is the owner and founder of BC Displays. He holds a Graphic Arts Degree from California State University at Fullerton as well as extensive study in physiology.Bill has focused on serving his surrounding community by involvement in youth sports. He has coached and managed ASA Girls Softball teams winning twelve District 55 Tournaments of Champion. He has managed Little League teams and was twice selected as All-Star Manager. Bill believes in physical conditioning as the foundation for one’s life.
Serving as Account Manager and Designer Bill has created and produced signage and Point of Sale displays for his extensive list of clients including local companies such as Quiksilver, Wahoo’s and Chick’s, as well as national accounts such as Foot Locker, Energizer and Coca Cola. As an expert in Fulfillment, Bill helps bring ideas from concept to store-level execution for retailers across the country. Bill is an asset and natural fit for Nutrition Zone as he has a firm understanding of our customers and their way of life by designing store décor that inspires.
DIRECTOR OF ADVERTISING AND VISUAL COMMUNICATIONS, LIBBY FERNANDEZ
Libby Fernandez holds a Bachelors degree in Fine Art, with a concentration in graphic design from California State University, Fullerton. Over the last 13 years, Libby has contributed her design and creative vision to a variety of market places including letterpress printing, fashion, nutrition and photography. Her training in hand and digital typography, fine art and concept design supports her contemporary, clean design style, which is the basis for her marketing and advertising concepts for the health and fitness consumer. Her professional experience in combination with her love for the health and fitness made Nutrition Zone a perfect match.A wife and mother of 2, Libby spends her "free" time crossfitting, running and playing at the beach with her family.