MANAGERS
Melissa Clark
Sales Manager | Nutrition Body Care
(Presence Marketing)
Melissa desired to have an active role in an industry that made a difference not only in her own life but for others as well. In 2003, Melissa made the decision to become part of the Presence Southwest family so that she could live true to those passions. She started in the marketing department where she gained significant knowledge about natural distributors. A year later she advanced to become the NBC/Grocery Conventional Key Account Executive. She spent over 2 years fine-tuning her skills in this capacity and is now the Nutrition and Body Care Sales Manager. Melissa graduated with a BA from the University of North Texas in 2000 and quickly moved with her musician husband to Austin, the live music capital of the world. So of course she loves listening to live music, spending outdoor trail time with her two boxers and indoor cuddling time with her cat.
Sales Manager | Nutrition Body Care
(Presence Marketing)
Melissa desired to have an active role in an industry that made a difference not only in her own life but for others as well. In 2003, Melissa made the decision to become part of the Presence Southwest family so that she could live true to those passions. She started in the marketing department where she gained significant knowledge about natural distributors. A year later she advanced to become the NBC/Grocery Conventional Key Account Executive. She spent over 2 years fine-tuning her skills in this capacity and is now the Nutrition and Body Care Sales Manager. Melissa graduated with a BA from the University of North Texas in 2000 and quickly moved with her musician husband to Austin, the live music capital of the world. So of course she loves listening to live music, spending outdoor trail time with her two boxers and indoor cuddling time with her cat.
Ethan Sonne
Sales Manager | Grocery Division (Dynamic Presence)
Ethan has worked in the natural products industry since 2001. Prior to entering the industry, Ethan worked in outdoor retail in Colorado and New York. It was in New York where Ethan first was introduced to natural products as the Vendor Relations Manager for an internet start up. As a director of purchasing Ethan oversaw buying of leading natural brands. After moving from New York to Oklahoma, Ethan started his natural foods experience in earnest as a category buyer for Akin's and Chamberlin's Natural Foods. In addition, he started a journey of vegetarianism (thanks to his wife, Emilie) which has ultimately led to years of joyful veganism.
After 3 years as a buyer and a desire for a change of pace, Ethan joined Kayser Sales and Marketing as a territory manager. The job was a good fit and Ethan has been in the brokerage world ever since. When an opportunity to move to Austin became available, Ethan jumped at the chance. Now Ethan, his wife, 3 dogs and two cats love Austin and their adventure in Texas.
Sales Manager | Grocery Division (Dynamic Presence)
Ethan has worked in the natural products industry since 2001. Prior to entering the industry, Ethan worked in outdoor retail in Colorado and New York. It was in New York where Ethan first was introduced to natural products as the Vendor Relations Manager for an internet start up. As a director of purchasing Ethan oversaw buying of leading natural brands. After moving from New York to Oklahoma, Ethan started his natural foods experience in earnest as a category buyer for Akin's and Chamberlin's Natural Foods. In addition, he started a journey of vegetarianism (thanks to his wife, Emilie) which has ultimately led to years of joyful veganism.
After 3 years as a buyer and a desire for a change of pace, Ethan joined Kayser Sales and Marketing as a territory manager. The job was a good fit and Ethan has been in the brokerage world ever since. When an opportunity to move to Austin became available, Ethan jumped at the chance. Now Ethan, his wife, 3 dogs and two cats love Austin and their adventure in Texas.
Keith Mortensen
Conventional Grocery Director of Sales
(Dynamic Presence)
Keith started working in the grocery industry at age 15 for Rylander's Grocery. He worked for them for just under 10 years in several departments including checker/ sacker, produce, general merchandise, frozen, dairy, grocery night stocker and finally as receiving manager. Keith left grocery retail to work for Gourmet Award Foods as a territory sales representative. During his 14 years with GAF he called on several different chains including Albertson's, Safeway, Apple Tree, Winn Dixie and independents. His last five years with GAF were spent selling to Village Market (Albertson's) in West Lake Hills , Texas. The store included a Natural Foods store within a store and Tree of Life was their distributor. Keith worked both TOL and GAF houses and in the process gained knowledge about the Natural Foods industry. He sold frozen, dairy, bulk, grocery, body care and supplements.
His next adventure was with Kehe Food Distributors in the Austin, Texas market as sales supervisor. He held this position for 5 years and was responsible for 25 sales reps, 2 sales assistants and 2 merchandisers. His area generated over 600,000.00 in weekly sales.
In October of 2007 Keith went to work for Kayser Sales & Marketing as Director of Grocery and is now part of the Dynamic Presence Southwest team.
Keith and his wife Sandra and 2 children, Nicholas age 13 & Alyssa age 8, live in the hill country with their 2 Labs, 2 cats and lots of other wild life.
Conventional Grocery Director of Sales
(Dynamic Presence)
Keith started working in the grocery industry at age 15 for Rylander's Grocery. He worked for them for just under 10 years in several departments including checker/ sacker, produce, general merchandise, frozen, dairy, grocery night stocker and finally as receiving manager. Keith left grocery retail to work for Gourmet Award Foods as a territory sales representative. During his 14 years with GAF he called on several different chains including Albertson's, Safeway, Apple Tree, Winn Dixie and independents. His last five years with GAF were spent selling to Village Market (Albertson's) in West Lake Hills , Texas. The store included a Natural Foods store within a store and Tree of Life was their distributor. Keith worked both TOL and GAF houses and in the process gained knowledge about the Natural Foods industry. He sold frozen, dairy, bulk, grocery, body care and supplements.
His next adventure was with Kehe Food Distributors in the Austin, Texas market as sales supervisor. He held this position for 5 years and was responsible for 25 sales reps, 2 sales assistants and 2 merchandisers. His area generated over 600,000.00 in weekly sales.
In October of 2007 Keith went to work for Kayser Sales & Marketing as Director of Grocery and is now part of the Dynamic Presence Southwest team.
Keith and his wife Sandra and 2 children, Nicholas age 13 & Alyssa age 8, live in the hill country with their 2 Labs, 2 cats and lots of other wild life.
Ed Boissevain
Brand Manager (Presence Marketing)
Ed joined Presence Marketing in the Southwest in 2000, fresh from an 8 year stint with Whole Foods at the Southwest Distribution Center, where he served as a buyer. He started in the natural foods industry with a co-op produce wholesaler in Minnesota in 1978, and doesn't miss the frozen tundra, or the frozen veggies.
Brand Manager (Presence Marketing)
Ed joined Presence Marketing in the Southwest in 2000, fresh from an 8 year stint with Whole Foods at the Southwest Distribution Center, where he served as a buyer. He started in the natural foods industry with a co-op produce wholesaler in Minnesota in 1978, and doesn't miss the frozen tundra, or the frozen veggies.
Teri Brittain
Office Manager (Presence Marketing)
Teri Brittain became a member of Presence Marketing in September 2001. She came to the Natural Food Industry with an administrative background in Criminal & Legislative law. She was looking for a change in her career in which she could not only be passionate about, but also contribute something positive to the future of her children. Her favorite pastimes are spending time with her family, cooking & entertaining, making people smile, cheering on the UT Longhorns and dancing & singing around the house with her 2 daughters. Teri was born & bred in Austin, Texas. Working with Presence Southwest has given her an opportunity to give back to the community that she loves and be apart of this incredible Presence Family!
Office Manager (Presence Marketing)
Teri Brittain became a member of Presence Marketing in September 2001. She came to the Natural Food Industry with an administrative background in Criminal & Legislative law. She was looking for a change in her career in which she could not only be passionate about, but also contribute something positive to the future of her children. Her favorite pastimes are spending time with her family, cooking & entertaining, making people smile, cheering on the UT Longhorns and dancing & singing around the house with her 2 daughters. Teri was born & bred in Austin, Texas. Working with Presence Southwest has given her an opportunity to give back to the community that she loves and be apart of this incredible Presence Family!
REGION COVERAGE
Arkansas
Kansas
Louisiana
Oklahoma
Texas
Kansas
Louisiana
Oklahoma
Texas
