With a desire to increase emphasis on its robust intellectual property portfolio, food technology leader Aseptia recently added a new member to its executive team. John A. Hudson has joined the Raleigh company as its executive vice president and chief intellectual property officer. Hudson brings nearly 20 years of intellectual property experience to his new position, including work with international consulting firms.

Firmenich appointed Mieke Van de Capelle as chief human resources officer, effective June 1. She joins Firmenich from Perfetti Van Melle, where she most recently held the position of chief HR officer.

Jeffrey Blumberg, Ph.D., FASN, and Zeynep Madak-Erdogan, Ph.D., received the Mary Swartz Rose Senior Investigator Award and the Mary Swartz Rose Young Investigator Award, respectively, at the American Society for Nutrition Scientific Sessions and Annual Meeting held in conjunction with Experimental Biology 2016 in San Diego, California. The Mary Swartz Rose awards are jointly presented by ASN and the Council for Responsible Nutrition to recognize outstanding research in the field of bioactive compounds for human health.

The American Herbal Products Association appointed Robert Wildman, Ph.D., chief science officer at Post Active Nutrition Brands, as the new chair of the Sports Nutrition Committee during a meeting at Natural Products Expo West in Anaheim, Calif. Wildman succeeds Ray Jaglowski, vice president of technical and regulatory at Twinlab Corp., who chaired the committee for the past two years.

Essential Formulas Incorporated, the sole U.S. distributor of Dr. Ohhira’s award-winning probiotic formulations and the newly introduced REG’ACTIV brand, recently named Brian Craig as its director of strategic affairs. He will help steer Essentials Formulas' continued growth with a focus on building brand preference, initiating integrated marketing strategies and advising on regulatory matters.

Strategic branding, PR and social media agency BrandHive announced the selection of Shipla Gauba as its social media and blogger outreach strategist. She has successfully managed social media, blogger and SEM initiatives for a variety of corporate clients in the fields of nutraceuticals, entertainment, telecom, food and beverage, and healthcare technology research.

Cypress Systems Inc. manufacturer of SelenoExcell, Chromium GTF Excell and the NutraFeast line of nutritional yeast products, announced Kimbirly Orr has joined the firm to further develop their growing sales and marketing strategy.

Grow Company Inc. with deepest regrets announced the passing of its visionary founder Andrew Szalay, on Sunday, March 20, 2016, of natural causes at age 96. Szalay invented cutting-edge, food-grown nutrients—Re-Natured vitamins and minerals that mirror their nature identical form.

Ingredient, flavor and nutrient fortification product provider Prinova announced the hiring of Richard Staack, Ph.D., MBA, as vice president, research & commercial development. Staack will join Prinova’s extensive innovation and product development team and be based at the company’s corporate headquarters in Carol Stream, Ill.

Nutrition 21 announced that Joe Weiss has joined the company as president. Weiss’ top priorities will be to accelerate the company's growth with product innovation, science and branding.

Plant-based household cleaner company Biokleen has hired Ted Morgan as its new director of marketing. Morgan will lead up the company’s marketing efforts as it expands into new channels and markets for the brand.