DEMETRI L. PREONAS, Ph.D.
5033 Deepwood Road
Bloomfield Hills, Michigan 48302
TEL: 248-496-1031 FAX: 248-594-1125
Experience-Operations
1991-1997 Awrey Bakeries Inc., Livonia, MI
President-Responsible for the creation and execution of the turnaround plan for this
frozen bakery products company with national distribution, in excess of $50,000,000 a
year in sales and 500 associates.
Achieved the Supplier of the Year three consecutive years from Gordon Food Services.
1968-1994 Rich Products Corp. (formerly Blue Bird Baking Co.), Dayton, OH
Rich Products purchased Preonas Family owned Blue Bird Baking Company in 1990
(Regional Pie Baker)
General Manager-Responsible for conversion of fresh bake operation into a state-of-theart frozen layer cake plant. Responsible for Dayton operations with annual budget of
$13M with 150 associates. Operated as unit of $450M frozen bakery business.
Experience-R&D and QA
2014-2016 Peak Foods, LLC, Troy, OH
Interim Research and Development Director responsible for formulation of products that
meet CODEX Alimentarius label regulations for introduction into the Latin
American/Caribbean markets. Introduced ten new products in 18 months and improved
several other formulas to make them more robust in manufacturing and improved
customer satisfaction. Managed R&D during search for permanent director.
2009-Present Pita Products LLC/Titan Global International Foods, Inc, Lima, OH
Technical Director R&D/QA. Duties included all labeling and regulatory compliance,
HACCP and SQF for private label snack manufacturing and co-packing of cracker style
snacks and other “good for you” snacks. Main product, Pita Chips, now part of Keebler
line.
Experience-Marketing and Sales
2009-Present Pita Products LLC/Titan Global International Foods, Inc, Lima, OH
Technical Director R&D/QA. Duties included all labeling and regulatory compliance,
HACCP and SQF for private label snack manufacturing and co-packing of cracker style
snacks and other “good for you” snacks. Main product, Pita Chips, now part of Keebler
line.
2005-2009 CC’s Kitchens, L.L.C. Belmont, MI
Obtained marketing rights and intellectual property rights for Heinemann’s Bakeries after
their insolvency. Selected co-packers to execute product, resulting in sales to Jewel,
Dominick’s and Certified Grocers in greater Chicago. Assisted in sourcing of ingredients
and equipment to lower manufacturing costs.
1998-2002 Quality Dairy Co., Lansing, MI
Director of Business Development for Auntie Em’s Bakery responsible for guiding the
start-up of a new 37,000 ft2 production bakery and turning it into a stand-alone business
unit of Quality Dairy Co. Responsible for Frozen segment of business.
Page 2
Experience-Product Development
2014-2016 Peak Foods, LLC, Troy, OH
Interim Research and Development Director responsible for formulation of products that
meet CODEX Alimentarius label regulations for introduction into the Latin
American/Caribbean markets. Introduced ten new products in 18 months and improved
several other formulas to make them more robust in manufacturing and improved
customer satisfaction. Managed R&D during search for permanent director.
2009-Present Pita Products LLC/Titan Global International Foods, Inc, Lima, OH
Technical Director R&D/QA. Duties included all labeling and regulatory compliance,
HACCP and SQF for private label snack manufacturing and co-packing of cracker style
snacks and other “good for you” snacks. Main product, Pita Chips, now part of Keebler
line.
2002-Present Deepwood Marketing, LLC, Bloomfield Hills, MI
Developed Loukoumathe (Honey Puffs) Mix for church festivals. Took concept to prefried Loukoumathes for Greek ethnic restaurants of Detroit. Developed syrup to
accompany item. Now in national distribution through a licensed co-manufacturer.
Experience-Regulatory and Food Safety
2017
Great Fresh Foods, LLC, Clinton Township, MI
Guided this USDA plant preparation for SQF. Melding current USDA programs into SQF
documentation format to allow easier auditing for certification. Recommended
improvements necessary for SQF that are not mandated by USDA.
2016-2017 Kontos Foods, Inc., Paterson, NJ
Annual contract to monitor and mentor regulatory programs and path to SQF certification.
Monthly visits to monitor progress and help senior management attain unfiltered
assessment of progress and status.
2014-2016 Peak Foods, LLC, Troy, OH
Interim Research and Development Director
Formulation of products that meet CODEX Alimentarius label regulations for introduction
into the Latin American/Caribbean markets.
2011-2014 Sun Valley Foods, Detroit, MI
Installation of two HACCP teams and over saw AIB certification. Aided a major supplier
with USDA inspection problems by bringing their programs up to date. Guided start-up of
Sun Foods a new division with USDA regulations and SQF certification. Guided SQF
initiative and achieved certification. Set up Environmental Control Program.
Experience-Consulting
2002-Present Peak Foods, LLC, Troy, OH
Consulted on various technical issues regarding ingredients, processing, and market
segments. Worked with potential industrial customers on various projects and new
product initiatives.
2016-2017
Kontos Foods, Inc., Paterson, NJ
Consulting on processing of various product categories. Introducing new concepts in
bakery production and quality improvement.
2002-Present Various
Consulted on co-packing arrangements with over twenty companies.
Provided cost saving opportunities in ingredients through introduction to vendors with
excellent products at lower pricing.
Consulted on processing parameters and Critical Quality issues.
Consulted on shelf life and food safety issues.
Trained HACCP teams and SQF teams.
Consulted on a variety of business issues
DEMETRI L. PREONAS, Ph.D.
5033 Deepwood Road
Bloomfield Hills, Michigan 48302
TEL: 248-496-1031 FAX: 248-594-1125