What made you choose to work for Nestlé Purina? What makes you stay at Nestlé Purina?

Nestlé Purina offered the best mix of Opportunity, Work-life Balance, and Culture fit for me. In essence, it offers the benefits of working for a large, multi-national firm while maintaining the small company culture.

What's your favorite or most rewarding part of working for Nestlé Purina?

I have had the opportunity to hear from consumers about the impact that our products have on their pet’s lives and also their relationship with their pets. It is especially meaningful when those products are ones that I played an active role in bringing to market.

How has Nestlé Purina helped you grow professionally?

Nestlé Purina has helped me by investing in both professional skill training and in leadership development. While this is common to many companies, I feel I have been fortunate at Nestlé Purina to have managers that have taken an active role in mentoring and coaching me. This personal involvement in my career path and development is a direct result of the collaborative culture.

Walk us through your typical day at the office.

I like the excitement and challenge that comes from having a job that is not consistent. During any given day, I could be meeting with our R&D team, our creative agency, or other marketing teams to develop new brand ideas. In addition there are the occasional research trips where we interview consumers to uncover unique and novel needs for our product development and of course the brainstorm sessions where we build ideas into solutions that can address these consumer needs.

What’s something about working with Nestlé Purina that has surprised you?

I’ve been surprised by the passion that employees have for other people’s pets. As a pet parent, I had my own passion, but even employees that do not have pets share this same passion. It’s really inspiring to be around them everyday.

What is the most exciting thing you are involved in outside of work?

Hands down it is raising our two year old daughter. Exciting might not always be the word I would use to describe it, but it certainly is the thing I take the most pride in and look forward to.

What items in your office could you not live without?

I have a plastic Slinky that I use when I am thinking and brainstorming. I’m sure I could get by without it, but each day might not be as much fun.

What’s your favorite place in St. Louis to relax and unwind?

My wife and I enjoy going to the Missouri Botanical Gardens in the Spring, Summer, and Fall. There are always beautiful flowers and plants to see, and it is large enough that every time we go, we experience something new.

What’s your favorite quotation?

There are two quotes that capture my approach to work and life. "You must be the change you wish to see in the world." - Mahatma Gandhi "Energy and persistence conquer all things." – Benjamin Franklin

What’s the most thrilling vacation you ever took?

Before attending Business School, my wife and I took a week and traveled from San Francisco to San Diego and camped in a tent along the way. It was a great way to see and take in the sights and sounds.