SANTA MONICA, CA--(Marketwired - Aug 11, 2015) - U-Vend, Inc., a consumer products and technology company that develops, distributes and markets next-generation self-serve electronic kiosks in a variety of retail environments across North America, is pleased to announce today the appointment of Mark A. Chapman as President of U-Vend America, Inc. ("U-Vend America"). U-Vend America is a division of U-Vend, Inc. that controls and manages the Company's U.S. consumer products operations.
Effective immediately, Chapman will assume the role of U-Vend America's President with a primary focus on revenue growth within the U.S. Specifically, he will be responsible for all facets of the Company's U.S. business development, consumer products introduction and sell-through, and will oversee the Company's overall U.S. domestic market expansion.
"We welcome Mark to the management team, and I believe that his addition gives U-Vend an experienced and successful consumer products professional. Mark's ability to develop and grow a brand is well-documented, and will serve us well as we are at the initial stages of launching our professional sports-themed ice cream products. As we continue to develop and bring to market other consumer products, Mark's expertise will play a critical role in the execution of these tremendous opportunities that lie before us," stated Raymond Meyers, U-Vend, Inc. CEO.
"After several weeks of working with management and understanding the current brand and product relationships U-Vend has or that is pending, I realized that we have the potential to create an extremely successful company. When I consider the diversity of consumer retail products that are economically and logistically suited for these 'smart' self-serve kiosks and merchandisers, combined with our digital advertising integration model, the outlook is very exciting. I am looking forward to working with Ray, Paul and the rest of the team as we strategically position U-Vend to become a very valuable, profitable and respected firm," said Chapman.
Mr. Chapman brings with him over three decades of extensive experience and success in the retail and consumer products industry. Mark began his career in Marketing and Sales with General Foods Corporation (1977-1980). Subsequently, Chapman joined the Dr. Pepper company as Marketing Manager (1980-81), and then was VP of The Mauna Loa Macadamia Nut Company (1981-83), where the company increased revenue almost ten-fold, from $4.5 million to $41.0 million in 2 1/2 years. From 1983-1985 Mark was appointed Director of Sales and Marketing at Malt-O-Meal, where he oversaw revenue growth from $28.0 million to over $87.0 million. Subsequently, he held the position of Zone Director in the Specialty Foods Division of Ralston Purina in St. Louis, MO until 1987 and then became Founder and CEO of United Sales, Inc., a Midwest sales, marketing and consumer products distribution company, which he grew over 10 years, and was eventually sold to Fleming, Inc.
Recently, Mark was President/COO of Sweet Marie, Inc., a Houston-based gourmet consumer products company since January, 2015. Prior to that, he was CEO of Harmony Products Group from February 2007 to March 2015. From March 2012 through March 2015, Chapman was a Strategy & Growth Specialist with Oldcastle APG, North America's leading supplier of concrete, masonry, lawn and garden products with annual revenues of $12.0 billion in Atlanta, GA. From 2002-2007, he was CEO and Founder of ASENZ, International & USA and from 2000-2002 he was President & CEO of American Image - Image Plastics in Houston, TX.
Mark has been a Brand Consultant and Advisor for numerous consumer product-related companies such as Coke Foods, Dial Corp., Belgard Brands, Del Monte, First Brands, HJ Heinz, JM Smuckers, Kellogg's Frozen Foods, First Brands, Reckitt and Coleman, Land-O-Lakes, Diamond Aircraft, Shasta Beverage, Plochmans, and Breyers Frozen Products.
Chapman holds a Bachelor's degree in Marketing & Psychology (cum Laude) and a Masters degree in Psychology (Magna cum Laude) from Richmond University in London, England. He acquired post-graduate training at the University of Pennsylvania (Global Marketing & Anti-Trust Law), University of Chicago (Marketing/Product Diversification), Stanford University (Financial & Legal Studies), Southern Methodist University (Branding & Global Products Diversification) and from the American Marketing Association (Advanced Leadership). Mark's past and present Board appointments include American State Bank, Apple Valley Medical Center, GenEquip of Canada, Sea Farms International, Make-A-Wish Foundation (MN.), Children Bereavement Center of San Antonio and the South Texas Archdiocese Finance Board, among others.
