The eighth annual GOPEX, hosted by The Packer, will again feature insights from a lineup for dynamic speakers. This year's event is set for Jan. 13-14 at the JW Marriott Miami Turnberry Resort in Aventura, Fla.
Here's a look at those scheduled to speak at GOPEX 2025.
Matt Fowler — Natural Grocers, category manager for produce
With two decades of experience in the produce industry, Matt Fowler has cultivated a deep passion for organics and the evolving landscape of organic produce.
Having dedicated the last 10 years to Natural Grocers, Fowler's journey began as a produce manager. His commitment and expertise led him through roles as a produce purchasing assistant, eventually culminating in his current position as category manager for produce, which he has held since March 2023.
In his role, Fowler thrives on collaborating with Natural Grocers' good4uSM Crew and vendors to ensure that customers receive high-quality, affordable organic produce. His team plays a crucial role in managing and setting produce pricing and promotions across all 169 stores, fostering strong vendor relationships and supporting store crew to ensure the smooth operation of each produce department. His dedication to advancing organic offerings and supporting both his team and customers underscores his significant contribution to Natural Grocers.
Fowler is also particularly fond of Colorado peaches, a testament to his appreciation for exceptional local produce.
Kellee Harris — The Giumarra Cos., vice president for retail merchandising services
Kellee Harris plans and executes in-store and online retail merchandising programs for seven fresh produce divisions of The Giumarra Cos. that serve key accounts in the U.S. and Canada. She also serves as the corporate liaison for Giumarra to Fair Trade USA and is an active member of the International Fresh Produce Association's Sustainability Committee and Packaging Subcommittee Working Group.
As part of her merchandising expertise, Harris manages regional merchandising brokers to help support sell-in and sell-through retail campaigns, social media promotions and sampling programs to increase lift and brand awareness.
Joining the fresh produce industry over 15 years ago, Harris holds a 40-plus-year background in researching, creating and selling innovative consumer marketing, merchandising and packaging solutions using proven tactics from a diverse background including experience in the sporting goods and high-tech industries.
Harris graduated with a Bachelor of Science in journalism from the University of Oregon and holds an MBA from the University of Portland. She is married and has three daughters.
Steve Lerch — Story Arc Consulting, founder
Steve Lerch is a former Google executive, a consultant and an international speaker.
He spent a decade at Google designing the digital strategies and marketing campaigns for well-known brands like GoPro, federal government agencies like the U.S. Census Bureau, and USDA Checkoff Programs like the National Pork Board.
While at Google, Lerch also served as an innovation evangelist and “Noogler Leader,” teaching thousands of new employees the cultural principles and strategies that are necessary to drive new ideas. Over the last nine years, Lerch has specialized in the food and agriculture industry, working with everyone from Avocados From Mexico to John Deere to National Beef.
After leaving Google in 2019, Lerch founded Story Arc Consulting where he serves as a keynote speaker, a facilitator of innovation and brainstorming workshops, and a consultant on subjects like strategic planning, marketing and digital strategy.
Chris Miller — Mom's Organic Market
Chris Miller is produce director and meat and seafood coordinator at MOM's Organic Market, a natural foods retailer headquartered in Rockville, Md.
Featuring an organic-only produce department, MOM's mission is “to protect and restore the environment.” Over the last decade, the mid-Atlantic chain has grown from five stores to 20, and it is currently in the process of opening its 21st location in Dobbs Ferry, N.Y.
Allan O'Donoghue — Sprouts Farmers Market, category manager for local produce
Allan O'Donoghue is the category manager for local produce at Sprouts Farmers Market, where he leads local and regional sourcing on the East Coast. Growing up in Salinas, Calif., O'Donoghue has been immersed in the fresh produce industry for most of his life, from the growing side to over 10 years in procurement and merchandising roles. With a background that includes six years of service in the U.S. Navy, O'Donoghue combines leadership and strategic skills to drive sourcing efforts and build strong supplier relationships. He is passionate about expanding the availability of high-quality, locally sourced and organic produce for consumers.
Darren Seifer — Circana, industry adviser for consumer goods and foodservice insights
Darren Seifer brings more than 20 years of expertise at Circana to his role as an industry adviser for the CPG and foodservice industries.
He is a contributing author of Circana's annual “Eating Patterns in America” report, a compilation of all food and foodservice research the company conducts over the year. Seifer also provides insights based on Circana's food-related research to organizations and companies across the country and has authored food and beverage research reports on the health state of U.S. consumers, the dynamics of meal delivery kits, what's inside America's kitchens, and the future of snacking.
Seifer is a frequent speaker at industry events hosted by organizations like The National Confectioners Association, The Food Institute, and GroceryShop. He is a frequently quoted industry expert in outlets such as the NBC Nightly News, The Wall Street Journal and the New York Times.
Jennifer Strailey — The Packer, editorial director
Jennifer Strailey is the editorial director of produce for Farm Journal/The Packer. Prior to joining The Packer, she was editor in chief of Winsight Grocery Business.
Strailey brings two decades of experience covering the competitive grocery, produce, natural products and specialty food and beverage landscape. In previous roles her focus has been to provide retail decision-makers with the insight, market intelligence, trends analysis, news and strategic merchandising concepts that drive sales.
Strailey began her journalism career at The Gourmet Retailer, where she was an associate editor and has been a longtime freelancer for a variety of trade media outlets. Additionally, she has more than a decade of experience in the wine industry, both as a reporter and public relations account executive.
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GOPEX 2025 will feature insights from a lineup for dynamic speakers.
(Farm Journal/The Packer file photo)
(Farm Journal/The Packer file photo)
by The Packer Staff, Jan 09, 2025