Austin, TX
Jade Monk is well-positioned to be the brand leader for premium matcha green tea beverages. We have carefully crafted two primary product lines to meet the needs and demanding taste preferences of the modern tea and functional beverage consumer: on-the-go powdered drink mixes that are currently sold in over 500 retail locations nationwide, and a line of ready-to-drink (RTD), high-pressure-processed (HPP), cold-brewed matcha beverages launching nationally with Whole Foods Market in March 2015.
Prior to Jade Monk, Mr. Bucher had successful entrepreneurial and corporate careers. He served as Founder and Owner of Baby Bambu, a bamboo baby clothing brand, Co-Founder and Chief Technology Officer at GlooMedia (an image recognition platform), as well as held senior managerial roles for Blue Global Media (CTO), McGraw Hill Aviation Group (CTO), McGraw Hill Construction Group (CTO), Medical Networks (Sr. Director of Technology), and Amgen (Research Scientist). He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology with minors in German and Chemistry from Baylor University, a Master of Science degree in Physiology and Immunology from Pennsylvania State University,…
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Derek Pipping, Co-Founder – COO
Prior to Mr. Pippin Co-Founding Jade Monk he had successful entrepreneurial and corporate careers as well. He served as Chief of Sales/Director of Business Development for Gravitas a leading real estate development company, a successful Personal Fitness Trainer (training numerous celebrities as well as members of the professional NBA basketball team the San Antonio Spurs), General Manager for NBTY (a leading nutritional supplement manufacturer), and Co-Founder of a business while an undergraduate at Baylor University (selling the business for a profit five years later). He holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from Baylor University.
Mike Fulkerson, Chief Commercial Officer
Mike Fulkerson has over 10 years of experience within the natural-channel food and beverage industry, and has extensive senior management experience on both the retail and manufacturer sides of the industry. He has worked with high-volume retailers including Wild Oats Markets and Earth Fare Supermarkets, holding store level and corporate positions including Store Manager, Corporate Merchandiser, and Grocery Category Manager. Prior to joining Jade Monk, Mike was the National Sales Director and Chief Operating Officer of Louisville-based Rooibee Red Tea Company. At Rooibee Red Tea Mike was instrumental in growing sustainable, year-over-year sales by over 180% by strategically supporting current retail accounts and securing new anchor accounts including Costco, Publix, Fresh & Easy, Kroger and Google Micro-Kitchens. As COO, Mike managed the product and brand development of Rooibee Roo, a line of children’s rooibos tea beverages now available at retailers coast to coast. Mike’s experience working for both the retail and manufacturing sides of the industry provide him with a unique perspective that informs his decision-making and assures his ability to position both manufacturer and retailer for mutual success. Mike actively provides mentorship and advisory services to numerous startups and small businesses throughout the US.
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