Clever Fruit Products (“Clever”), a developer of fermented natural ingredients, is pleased to announce two new appointments to its Board of Directors. Alex Walker, with expertise in growth and strategic M&A, and Catherine Sigmar, bringing an extensive background in strategy and legal expertise, have both joined as Directors.
“As Clever prepares to fully commercialize, these Board appointments are an important corporate milestone,” says Sean Sears, CEO of Clever. “We have a very specific business model predicated on long-term relationships and foundational agreements and these highly-accomplished executives bring the expertise needed.”
“Finding the right partnerships and managing risk in emerging markets is where I will bring experience and insight to Clever. I am looking forward to working with Sean and the team in this innovative, fast growing space,” says Catherine Sigmar. Catherine brings extensive transactional, M&A, and strategy expertise, and will play a key role in the development of Clever’s business model and strategic relationships.
“I am excited to join Clever as an active member of its Board,” says Alex Walker, who also serves as Clever’s Chief Financial Officer. “Sean and I have had a lot of success in previous transactions together. It’s great to be back working with him and his team.”
About Clever Fruit Products:
Clever fruit is a developer of fermented natural health ingredients. Clever upcycle’s fruit waste using fermentation to develop nutraceuticals. Clever makes ingredients for sale to consumer product brands in the food & beverage, supplement and nutraceutical, and pharmaceutical industries. It specializes in superfruit; fruits that have rich biological profiles of antioxidants and when fermented increase in potency.
Alex Walker, Director
Over the past 25 years, Mr. Walker has served as Chairman, President and CEO of public and private technology and manufacturing businesses. These include electronics manufacturer SMTC (NASD: SMTX), where he initiated acquisitions and drove record results. He has managed several other technology businesses where he led the growth, financing and exits for each. Mr. Walker is currently a Founder and Managing Partner of Rouge River Capital and sits on the boards of several portfolio businesses. He began his career in investment banking and management consulting in New York and Chicago. Mr. Walker received his MBA from the Booth School of Business at the University of Chicago, and his engineering degree from Queen’s University.
Catherine Sigmar, Director
Capitalizing on more than two decades of experience in the technology sector and leadership positions at Intel, Baan, and SSA, Sigmar currently serves as the VP of Strategy and CLO at Tecsys Inc., a publicly traded Canadian software company. Prior to joining Tecsys, she was Chief Operating Officer of YJT Solutions, Inc., a closely held technology company in Chicago, where she led the successful diversification of the business. Her contributions have resulted in local and global expansion (organic as well as acquisitive), accelerated innovation, reduced risk, and improved governance and compliance. Sigmar has a JD from Illinois Institute of Technology, an LL.B. from the University of Western Ontario, and a BA from Queens University.