Sustainability: Keeping Vanilla Growing
November 5th and 6th, 2013, Crowne Plaza - Jamesburg, NJ
The Next Vanilla Crisis
Rick Brownell
Virginia Dare
Brooklyn, NY
The year 2013 will probably be viewed as the beginning of the next Vanilla Crisis. How will it compare to the crisis that occurred from 2000 – 2003? What is the same today as it was then? And, what is different? The presentation will explore the causes, impact and likely outcome of the Next Vanilla Crisis. But, the Real Vanilla Crisis is likely to occur on the ground in Madagascar with the fate of the Vanilla growers ultimately at stake. The presentation will conclude with proposed solutions to the Real Vanilla Crisis, including some that are already underway and others that are the subject of considerable controversy and debate.
Rick Brownell has worked in the Flavor and Fragrance industry for over 30 years. He joined Virginia Dare as Vice President Vanilla Products in 1997. Prior to that, from 1982 through 1997, he worked for Bush Boake Allen in various sales and marketing assignments. From 1976 to 1982, he worked for Union Camp Corporation in finance.
Today, Rick is recognized as one of the world’s foremost authorities on the Vanilla Market. For the past 20 years he has concentrated exclusively on Vanilla, leading Virginia Dare to become one of the world’s largest and most respected global suppliers of Vanilla Extracts, Concentrates and Flavors. His responsibilities involve all aspects of the business including sales, marketing, purchasing, product development, production and technical service. He has been a long time leading proponent of the critical need for economic sustainability for Vanilla growers, particularly in Madagascar.
Rick has an MBA from Dartmouth College and an AB degree from Middlebury College. Rick and his wife Lindy have three children and live in Ridgewood, New Jersey.