Strategic Advisory Board
Meet Our Advisors
We’re fortunate to consult with advisors representing a diverse mix of industries and experience. We value their insights as we assess and build our growth and business strategies for CJB Companies.
Robert (Bob) Barker
Servus Management & Development; Consultant
After spending nearly 30 years in the chemical industry with companies like ChemFirst, Inc., and Monsanto, Bob formed his own management consulting firm. Since 1998, he’s been advising companies in the specialty chemicals space on M&A and management consulting, as well as mentoring startup companies. He’s developed a deep understanding of investment, acquisition and licensing opportunities to help his clients achieve their goals. Bob has served on the Board of Directors of numerous companies, including Quality Chemicals, EKC Technology, Callidus Technology and NanoProducts Corporation.
Jim Bearden
DuPont Crop Protection (retired); Consultant
Jim has devoted his life to agriculture, working with the University of Florida Extension Service, Louisiana Seed Company, Griffin Agricultural Chemical Company and DuPont Crop Protection. Much of his career was spent at Griffin as VP for Global Business Development. When Griffin was acquired by E.I. DuPont, Jim served as Business Development Director and guided the company through numerous M&A transactions, data compensation negotiations and key third-party relationships among global generic pesticide producers. In retirement, Jim continues consulting with companies while raising cattle.
Keith Hearon, PhD
Nuceptive Labs, CEO; Entrepreneur
Keith has an innate ability to start a company and nurture it through acquisition. He co-founded startups Poly6, a pioneer in aerospace 3D printing acquired in 2019, and Virex Health, an electrochemical rapid diagnostics company acquired in 2022. Currently Keith serves as CEO of Nuceptive Labs and executive chairman of the board of Imidex. His accomplishments include more than 40 patents and publications in materials science and biotechnology, postdoctoral fellow at MIT Langer Lab, a top finalist in the 2014 Collegiate Inventors Competition, and a regional finalist in the prestigious 2020 White House Fellowship.
Terry Kippley
Council of Producers and Distributors of Agrotechnology (CPDA); President
Terry grew up on a dairy farm in Wisconsin. He began his career at Monsanto in field sales followed by Agsorb business management roles at Oil-Dri Corporation. Before CPDA, Terry was president of Aceto Agricultural Chemicals, which he eventually sold for $80m. He reenergized the portfolio through a $20m investment in new EPA registrations, negotiated data compensation agreements, and secured third-party supplier relationships in China and India. Terry directed the procurement of nearly $500m of active ingredients, selling finished product to US and international distributors in Europe, Russia and Latin America.
Tracy Nazzaro
Traders Hill Farm; President & General Manager
Tracy has a diverse experience range that spans international investment banking, integrated media, career placement, and strategic advisory and financial consulting. In addition to her work with Traders Hill Farm, an innovative aquaponics greenhouse farming operation, she currently serves as Executive Director of the RWB Foundation, Inc., a non-profit organization providing financial assistance and operating guidance to small agricultural businesses in Florida. Tracy also gives her time and expertise to the Marine Science Advisory Board at Jacksonville University and the University of Florida Agriculture Emerging Entrepreneurs Advisory Board.
Sean Traynor, PhD
Takasago USA (retired); Consultant
With a doctorate in organic chemistry, Dr. Traynor followed his senses to a career spent mostly in the flavor and fragrance industries. He’s authored more than 30 scientific articles and books and holds numerous patents on terpene chemistry and lean manufacturing. Beyond his roles as Research Chemist and Director of R&D, Dr. Traynor gained experience in sales, marketing, executive management, and M&As within the flavor, fragrance, automotive and leather industries. He served as Chairman of the Research Institute for Fragrance Materials and was honored with the Bruell Award for Outstanding Service to the Fragrance Industry.
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