After a distinguished career at Food Materials, including 15 years as a senior national account executive, Joe Slawek decided to form his own company. Knowing that the industry needed an independent, highly technical flavor company with a cultural commitment to great service, he founded Flavors of North America in 1987, which 18 years later would become FONA International.

Under Joe’s unwavering focus on FONA’s customers, employees, and stakeholders, and his commitment to operating a values-based organization, the company has maintained record setting growth and attracts the best and brightest from across the industry.

A graduate of University of Illinois at Chicago in Marketing and Management, Joe has combined his education and his industry experience to make FONA International one of the fastest growing flavor companies in the industry. To learn about the history of FONA, click here.

Joe is extremely privileged to serve the following organizations:

• Executive Committee Member for The McGraw Wildlife Foundation Board of Directors

• Board of Advisors for Oak Brook Bank in Geneva, Illinois

• Board Member for Valley Industrial Association
  

• Member of the President’s Forum

• Membership in the Chicagoland Entrepreneurial Hall of Fame

• Board Member for Riverwoods Christian Center

• Advisory Board Member for US Polymers

In his personal life, Joe is actively committed to his family, his church and community service. Joe also finds great enjoyment in attending his children’s school, church and sports activities. In addition, Joe is a long-time private pilot who enjoys recreational aviation and numerous other outdoor recreational pastimes.

Terry brings to FONA over 20 years experience in the food and flavoring industry, including hands-on experience in flavor chemistry, product development, QA and QC. Terry is responsible for the majority of FONA's internal operations, including research & development, order fulfillment, commercialization and facility management activities. Under Terry’s leadership, FONA’s operations teams have flourished and the new programs and services he has developed continue to provide added value to our customers.

Since joining the company in 2001, Bob has successfully lead the Order Fulfillment, Customer Service, Manufacturing, Purchasing, Material Control, Distribution and Sample Service groups in order to continually improve service to internal and external customers. With his recent promotion to Vice President, he is responsible for leading and growing the Order Fulfillment business unit. Bob has over 34 years of experience in the food and flavor industry, with a breadth of experience that includes working within materials management, manufacturing, R&D, and operations.

With over 20 years of experience in corporate strategy, sales management, and sales, Lisa is the backbone of FONA’s vision for the future. She is responsible for working closely with internal teams and outside consultants to assist in the creation and coordination of integrated corporate strategies and plans. Her strong ability to establish a vision, define and communicate a corporate strategy, and motivate both teams and individuals to reach company goals are and will continue to be a tremendous asset to FONA.