Blyth Inc.
 Michael Norris |
Blyth Inc. announced that its PartyLite division, the world’s largest direct seller of candles, candle accessories and premium home fragrance products, has named Michael Norris to fill the newly created position of President, PartyLite Americas. In his expanded role, Norris, who currently oversees both the United States and Canada, assumes responsibility for Mexico, a developing market for PartyLite’s products and earnings opportunity.
Norris has 20 years of experience in the direct selling industry and joined PartyLite in February 2010 as Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing. He was promoted to President, PartyLite U.S. 10 months later and then assumed leadership of the Canadian business.
Blyth Inc., headquartered in Greenwich, Conn., is a direct to consumer business focused on both the direct selling and direct marketing channels. It designs and markets home fragrance products and decorative accessories, as well as weight-management products, nutritional supplements and energy drink mixes. Its products are sold through PartyLite and ViSalus.
Direct Selling Education Foundation
 Nancy Laichas |
The Direct Selling Education Foundation (DSEF) announced the appointment of Nancy Laichas as Chief Marketing and Development Officer. With the increased momentum of existing and new DSEF programs, coupled with a broader base of direct selling industry support, this new role recognizes the important communication and leadership expectations of DSEF’s public constituents and industry colleagues. Additionally, Laichas will lead sales and marketing efforts for the foundation’s Direct Selling Entrepreneur Program being offered to community colleges across the country.
Prior to this appointment, Laichas served as DSEF’s Director of Marketing and Communications.
The Direct Selling Education Foundation stands up for consumers and champions ethical entrepreneurship through its partnerships with consumer advocates, educators and students, public policy officials, and the small business and entrepreneurship communities. DSEF’s programs engage and educate the public on the ways direct selling empowers individuals, supports communities and strengthens economies worldwide.
MonaVie
 Dr. Shawn Talbott |
 Katy Holt-Larsen |
 Gavin Barkdull |
MonaVie, a direct seller of premium nutrition products, announced the promotion of three of its executives, Dr. Shawn Talbott to Chief Science Officer, Katy Holt-Larsen to Vice President of North America, and Gavin Barkdull to President of Latin America and U.S. Latino.
As the new Chief Science Officer, Dr. Shawn Talbott will advocate and head MonaVie’s global product strategy and product development efforts. He is a well-known scientist and expert in metabolism, weight loss, sports nutrition and human performance.
In January 2012 he joined MonaVie as Vice President of Research and Product Development. He was responsible for developing and overseeing the creation of new products and MonaVie’s research efforts to provide credible, third-party validation of MonaVie products.
In her newly appointed role as Vice President of North America for MonaVie, Katy Holt-Larsen will be working alongside MonaVie Founder, Chairman and CEO Dallin A. Larsen to create and drive strategy and run daily operations for the entire North America market. Formerly she served as Executive Director of the MORE Project, MonaVie’s charity, a position she retains.
Holt-Larsen has more than 15 years of experience in organization and leadership development.
Gavin Barkdull’s role has expanded to include responsibilities over the accelerating U.S. Latino market. Barkdull’s new title is President of Latin America and U.S. Latino. In this new role he will bring unity to the growing Latin America markets and the U.S. Latino market.
Barkdull has served in a variety of leadership roles during his five years with MonaVie. He came to the company with 17 years of international development and sales experience.
MonaVie is a product innovator in the health and wellness category. MonaVie’s nutritional beverages feature a blend of açai berry and other nutrient-dense fruits, and are available through a global network of more than 1 million independent distributors in 21 countries.
USANA Health Sciences Inc.
 Paul Jones |
 Jim Brown
|
 Rick Stambaugh |
 Lori Truman |
USANA Health Sciences Inc., a global nutritional company, announced the reorganization of its management team.
Paul Jones, who is currently serving as the company’s Vice President of Human Resources, has been named as interim Chief Financial Officer. Jones has been with USANA since 2005. Prior to joining the company, he worked with Associated Food Stores Inc. as Vice President of Operations – Dan’s Foods; Vice President of Farr West Operations; and Vice President of Human Resources. Jones is a Certified Management Accountant.
Jim Brown, who was recently promoted to Chief Production Officer for his expertise in operations and production, will take on an expanded role directing operations, and report directly to the CEO.
Additionally, Rick Stambaugh has been named Chief Information Officer. Stambaugh has more than 25 years of experience in the direct sales industry. Before joining USANA, he served as President and CEO of TekVation and the Fionda Group, two companies that supply technology and innovative solutions to the direct sales industry.
Lori Truman has been promoted to Vice President of U.S. Field Development. Truman has been at USANA for nearly 10 years. Most recently she served as USANA’s Executive Director of U.S. Field Development.
Founded in 1992, USANA Health Sciences is a nutritional company that manufactures high-quality supplements and personal care, energy, and weight-management products in their FDA-registered facility in Salt Lake City. USANA’s products are sold directly to preferred customers and associates in 18 international markets.
Nature’s Sunshine Products Inc.
 Gregory L. Probert |
 Kristine Hughes |
Nature’s Sunshine Products Inc. announced that Gregory L. Probert, currently Executive Vice Chairman, has been appointed to Executive Chairman of the Board of Directors; and Kristine F. Hughes, currently Co-Founder and Chairman, will become Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors. Michael D. Dean will continue to serve as CEO and a member of the board.
Prior to his appointment to Executive Vice Chairman in June 2011, Probert served as an independent consultant to the company since 2010. Previously he was Chairman of the Board and CEO of Penta Water Company.
Kristine Hughes co-founded Hughes Development Corp. in 1972, the predecessor to Nature’s Sunshine Products Inc., and has served as an officer or director of the company and its predecessors since 1980. Hughes is the spouse of Eugene L. Hughes, another company founder and a director emeritus.
Nature’s Sunshine Products markets and distributes nutritional and personal care products through a global direct sales force of over 600,000 independent distributors in more than 40 countries.
