Built on
entrepreneurial vision
With decades of experience as entrepreneurs, food technologists, and ingredient specialists, our team is designed to meet your specific needs.
What drives us
Quality First
Rigorous quality standards with SQF and Kosher certifications across all operations.
Sustainability
Committed to sustainable agriculture practices including drip irrigation and no-till farming.
Social Responsibility
Investing in communities through mentorship and supporting local growers and partners.
Partnership
Long-term relationships built on trust, creating win-win opportunities across the board.
Meet the people
A diverse team with global experience, united by a passion for food innovation.
Dan Alvarez
Founder + CEO
Following Dan's desire to be an international businessman, Golden Hill foods was founded in 2006. Powered by a sincere work ethic, entrepreneurial vision, and the ability to build a strong team, Dan has accomplished goals that originally seemed impossible. With decades of business experience in careers as GE assistant buyer and hospital administrator, Dan ventured into the entrepreneurial world. He started a trailer leasing business, a cold storage and distribution company, and founded two industrial container depots. One was sold to finance Golden Hill foods. The other remains one of the largest depots in Chicago, a 60-acre site. Dan is a Vietnam Veteran.
Roger Guerrero
Finances + Operations
Roger joined Golden Hill Foods in 2011. He has over two decades of experience in Finance, Operations and Logistics. Prior to Golden Hill Foods he worked for Wilson Sporting Goods Co. in product development. Roger is skilled at solving complex problems with an entrepreneurial spirit.
Demetrio Garcia
Business Relations
Demetrio is a GLOCAL (Global and Local) executive with over 30 years' of national and international experience in engineering, operations, business development, government relations as well as diversity and inclusion leadership. He has worked in over 150 cities and has lived on 4 different continents. An engineer turned entrepreneur, he is a master networker with global contacts. As a native of Chicago and graduate of the University of Illinois in Mechanical Engineering, he is a known connector and continues to invest in local and national civic, business and non-for-profit organizations as well as mentoring younger professionals for success.
John Bartosek
Sales Director
As Director of Sales, John excels in leadership and project management, skills honed over a 30 year career with companies like Eastman Kodak and Hewlett-Packard. His "customer comes first" attitude has helped him increase GHF's customer satisfaction and customer base significantly since joining the company in 2010. With his certification as an ISO quality auditor, quality assurance is never far from his mind as he works with discerning clients in food and meat packaging, processing, and distribution.
Sergio Fernandez
Research + Development
Sergio has 40 years of experience developing food ingredient blends and ready food products. He has worked in and in collaboration with universities across the world from Brazil to Helsinki. From 1990 -1992 Sergio was Head of the Food Science & Technology Department, in the Food and Drug Institute at the University of Havana. As Director of Research and Development at GHF he develops blends, clean label solutions, unique flavor profiles and new products. He works closely with clients in their facilities to bring the newest innovation to the market.
Miya DeBaker
Graphics + Operations
After graduating from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Miya joined the Golden Hill Foods team. She brings to the table her skill in digital art and communication, along with a passion for food, sustainability, and organization.
Jules Mazy
Mexico Director
Julio joined Golden Hills Foods in 2013. Julio resides in Mexico and his main initiative is aligning GHFMX with firms that produce export quality product, in addition to procuring joint ventures/partnerships with Mexican companies which fit the model of GHF USA. As a visionary and entrepreneur, he has owned various businesses; a construction company, industrial sales and product company, Mexican wholesale tour company and a Mexican Real Estate Company.
Alison Nykaza
R&D Assistant Lab Tech
Alison graduated from Illinois State University with a Degree in Business Admin & Studies in Business Environment & Sustainability. She has been involved/influenced by the food industry for most of her life and came to Golden Hill Foods to not only learn more about it but also aid in its growth. As the R&D Assistant Lab Tech, she aids in the formulation of new flavors and blends with the rest of our R&D team.
Richard Yeager
Operations
Richard is a graduate of the Universidad Autónoma de Guadalajara with a degree in Economics. He works in Operations across the U.S. and Mexico, focusing on developing new business opportunities and enhancing supply chain efficiency.
Mark Yeager
Operations
Mark is currently studying International Business and works in the Research & Development department at Golden Hill Foods. Mark also has knowledge of supply chain operations gained through family experience in the food industry.
Dan Davis
Retail + Foodservice
With over 25 years of CPG Sales & Marketing Management, Category Management, and Product Development experience, Dan has developed, launched and sold a multitude of branded & private label products across multiple categories. His previous work experiences include major CPG companies and leadership roles in retail and foodservice innovation.
Advisors
J.C. Gonzalez-Mendez
Advisor
J.C. Gonzalez-Mendez served as President of Latin America, Chief Purchasing Officer of North America, and Global Chief CSR & Sustainability Officer for McDonald's Corporation. He brings decades of executive-level experience in global food supply chains, corporate sustainability, and cross-cultural business leadership to Golden Hill Foods.
Lou Nieto
Advisor
Lou Nieto is the former President of Consumer Foods at ConAgra, where he oversaw iconic brands including Hebrew National. A recognized leader in the food industry and a Chicago United Business Leader of Color, Lou brings extensive executive experience in branded consumer packaged goods, sales, and marketing to the Golden Hill Foods advisory board.
Ed Sanchez
Advisor
Ed Sanchez is the President and CEO of Lopez Foods Inc., one of McDonald's largest beef suppliers in the United States. Under his leadership, Lopez Foods has maintained the highest standards of food quality and safety. Ed was appointed to the U.S. Commerce Secretary's National Advisory Council and is a prominent leader in the Hispanic business community.
Scott Severson
Advisor
Scott Severson retired from Flexan as CEO in 2015. Flexan is a global manufacturer and assembler producing molded and extruded silicone and thermoplastic components. Scott brings decades of executive leadership experience in manufacturing and operations to his role as a Golden Hill Foods advisor.
John Nykaza
Advisor
Certifications
We are a Hispanic and Veteran Owned Company. We value safe, clean food.
Social Responsibility
Organizations We Donate To
Learn more about our products and initiatives
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