SPEAKERS
General & Breakout Sessions
Meet the speakers and leaders for the 2025 Freeze Dried Summit. These speakers bring a wealth of knowledge on everything from growing your freeze-dried business and mastering marketing strategies to tackling product development and packaging. Whether you’re looking for big-picture inspiration or practical, hands-on advice, you'll find sessions designed to support your growth and success in the freeze-drying industry. Take a look through their profiles to see how their expertise can help you take your business to the next level.
MONDAY KEYNOTE SPEAKER - Nature's Wild Berry
TUESDAY KEYNOTE SPEAKER - TRENDY TREATS
Who's Speaking?
Jesus Macias
Jesus Macias, cofounder of Trendy Treats, transformed a pandemic side hustle into a $5.5 million candy empire with his wife Melinna! With 10M+ social followers and products in 500 stores nationwide, Jesus built their U.S. made candy sensation from just $3,000 in personal investment—proving that sweet success is possible in the freeze-dried industry!
CEO & Co-Founder
Trendy Treats
Gene Ligman
Gene Ligman is the founder of Suntorr Inc. and a freeze-drying industry authority with 20+ years of expertise! As the most sought-after consultant in the field, Gene delivers exceptional value through his profound understanding of applications and equipment in freeze-drying. His unique approach serves both equipment manufacturers and end users with unparalleled technical knowledge!
President & Owner
SunTorr
Troy Pettit
Troy Pettit, COO of TechSource Systems, revolutionized commercial freeze-drying with his exceptional automation programming and electrical design expertise! His innovative technology forms the backbone of TechSource's success as a top U.S.-based commercial freeze dryer manufacturer. Troy will share in-depth knowledge of how companies are scaling their freeze-drying businesses and how you can do it too!
COO
TechSource Systems
Jeffrey Bogusz
Jeff holds a B.S. in Food Process Engineering from Purdue. He developed non-chocolate confections at Hershey, then provided technical support at Cerestar/Cargill. At Ferrara Pan, he led R&D, improved gummy recipes, and helped create Nerds Clusters. In 2022, he started Lucky Teapot Consulting, developing nutraceutical confections and advising companies
Candy Maker
Lucky Teapot Consulting
Dr. Janna Hamlett
Dr. Janna Hamlett is a Food Processing Specialist at TechHelp and Associate Professor with the University of Idaho Extension. With 20 years in food manufacturing, she specializes in food safety, operational excellence, and regulatory compliance, serving as a trusted resource for the industry.
Food Processing Specialist
TechHelp Idaho
Matt Graunke
Matt Graunke, sales and marketing manager at Parker Freeze Dry, brings extensive commercial freeze-drying expertise to our event! Matt educates professionals on scaling their businesses with Parker's equipment. Don't miss his invaluable insights on transitioning from small-scale to commercial freeze-drying operations!
Sales & Marketing Manager
Parker Freeze Dry
Levi Weischedel
Levi Weischedel is an innovative marketing consultant and creative partner for the Freeze Dried Marketing agency. As a dynamic video producer, his refreshing approach creates strategies that deliver results while keeping the process enjoyable and effective!
CMO & Creative Director
Freeze Dried Marketing
Lloyd Parks
Lloyd Parks, VP of Sales at Cuddon Freeze Dry, is an innovative leader with global food-processing expertise. With a hands-on, results-driven approach, he helps organizations harness freeze-drying technology to boost efficiency, quality, and growth. Lloyd brings energy and vision to advancing what’s possible with freeze drying.
VP Sales (N. & S. America)
Cuddon Freeze Dry
Sean B Jones
Sean B. Jones, CEO and Co-Founder of Foodynamics, brings over 30 years of executive leadership to the premium freeze-dried pet food industry. Sean has built a family-operated business specializing in private label manufacturing of high-quality treats for cats and dogs, transforming his passion into action.
Owner & CEO
Foodynamics
Stephen Cowan
Stephen Cowan is the founder of BeMicro, the first company in the U.S. to specialize in freeze-dried microgreens, and the host of the Plant Frequencies podcast. With a background in tech sales, Stephen transformed a garage startup into a national wellness brand dedicated to making farm-grown, functional nutrition accessible and convenient. He’s on a mission to reinvent how vegetables fit into everyday life—one microgreen at a time.
Founder & Microgreens Innovator
BeMicro
Jerad Ducklow
Jerad Ducklow, Executive VP at Parker Freeze Dry, is a business development expert specializing in commercial freeze-drying operations. With proven expertise in scaling businesses, financial analysis, and project management, he helps clients transition from small-scale to commercial operations while maximizing profitability and efficiency in competitive markets.
Retail Sales Director
Parker Freeze Dry
Nathan Wise
Nathan Wise leads sales at Sev-Rend which is developing eco-friendly packaging solutions for the food industry. His expertise in recyclable, compostable materials helps brands balance product protection with environmental responsibility. Freeze-dried foods is one of their fastest growing segments with their clients and he is looking forward to sharing his expertise in packaging.
Retail Sales Director
Sev-Rend
Brian Bourne
Brian is a Business Development Associate at KLC Financial, where he helps commercial manufacturing companies—including freeze-drying businesses—secure financing to scale with new equipment. With a background in marketing, strategy, and client relationships, he’s passionate about connecting the dots between financing and growth. We’re excited to have him share insights on scaling freeze-drying businesses.
Business Development
KLC Financial