Jim Swoboda co-founded CultureMD after a long and successful career in the Consumer Packaged Goods and Grocery Industry.

Jim began his career in the food business in 1979 working for an independent retailer. In 1982, he joined Spartan Stores, Inc. in General Merchandise Sales. Over the next 17 years, he held numerous positions within Spartan including:

• Buyer/Merchandiser, Grocery
• Manager, Grocery Procurement
• Director, Grocery, General Merchandise/HBC procurement
• Director, Logistics and Distribution Technologies
• Director, Strategic Business Development.

In 1992, Jim was hand-picked by the C.E.O. of Spartan Stores to serve on an eight-person re-engineering team. Over the next several years, that team worked to lead the organization through a major remake of Spartan's business model. The project involved a commitment equal to 70% of the corporation's equity. Throughout the late 90's, his contributions on the national scene in the Consumer Packaged Goods Industry were many as he worked to advance collaborative supply chain relationships. His involvement included serving on these initiatives:

• Co-Chair of the Efficient Consumer Response Operating Committee
• Co-Chair of the Grocery Manufacturers of America Unsaleables Scorecard project
• Member of the Food Distributors International Retail Coverage Project task force
• Member of the NGA ITREC task force
• Collaborative Planning and Forecasting Replenishment Committee

In April of 2000, Jim joined Acosta Sales and Marketing as a business manager on the grocery sales team. He quickly rose through the organization to the position of Senior Vice President and Team Leader for Acosta's Meijer team. In that role, he managed a 220 plus member team accountable to oversee more than $1 billion dollars in retail sales, which Acosta managed nationwide on behalf of clients such as Heinz, Clorox, Ocean Spray and over 100 more consumer packaged goods companies. This effort translated into a multi-million dollar budget for operations.

In the 6 years with Acosta, Jim was able to actively participate and champion nation wide culture change as the organization moved from a regional force to one that is now national in scope. As a Senior Vice President, he was part of the roughly 60 top executives within the 11,000 associate organization. In 2005 he was the recipient of 2 Chairman's Award for outstanding results and for achieving work-life balance. He was the only 2-award winner out of 100 total recipients.

Jim believes strongly in working with community organizations. His current affiliations include:

Vice Chair Programs, Board of Directors for Junior Achievement of the Michigan Great Lakes Region
Western Michigan University's Food/CPG Marketing Program's advisory board.
President, Pinewood Middle School PTC, Kentwood Public Schools
Kentwood Public Schools parent advisory committee.

He has often worked as a guest lecturer/teacher at several universities and was a contributing columnist for Grocery Headquarters Magazine, a food industry trade journal.

Jim is a native of Plainwell, MI and holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Western Michigan University. Jim, his wife, Lori, and their two children reside in Kentwood, MI.