Food Product Development Professionals

  • Since 2009, Chef Calvin Harris, founder of Harris Food Group, and his team have gained much recognition for their continued success in branded food innovation.

  • Harris Food Group is a disciplined team with extensive experience in food development, manufacturing and marketing. Each member brings a unique perspective to the process of developing successful food brands. Meet our principals:


  • Chef Calvin Harris - CEO Harris Food Group

  • With more than 25 years of restaurant and food product development experience, Calvin Harris has garnered the respect of his fellow chefs and food product professionals across the globe. Cited as one of Nation's Restaurant News' Top 50 Research & Development Culinarians, Chef Harris has also been named as one of South Florida's "40 under 40" Most Influential Black Professionals.


    A graduate of The Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, New York, Chef Harris had a successful career with several 4- and 5-Star hotels and restaurants throughout the country. As Research and Development Chef for Carlson Restaurants Worldwide, Chef Harris earned the 2001 Menu Master's Award. After joining Triarc Restaurant Group as Corporate Executive R&D Chef, he developed new products for Arby's, and was nominated for the Top Menu Strategist award given by Restaurant Business Magazine.


    Chef Harris established Harris Food Group in 2009, launching a successful line of retail and food service side dishes for TGI Friday. Chef Harris is the culinary genius behind the wildly successful Biggest Loser Simply Sensible Refrigerated Entrees.


    For more information about Chef Calvin Harris, click here.

     

  • John Anthony Hall - Chief Financial Officer

  • John Anthony Hall is a seasoned developer of financial strategic plans with extensive experience in managing entrepreneurial ventures, financial institutions, national corporations as well as public sector initiatives.


    Prior to joining Harris Food Group, Mr. Hall was Managing Member of the financial consulting firm Brickell Ventures, LLC. From 2007 to 2009, he served as President and CEO of Independence Federal Savings Bank, turning the troubled bank around to profitability within 11 months when many others were closing. He also served as Regional President of OneUnited Bank, named Financial Services Company of the Year by Black Enterprise Magazine. Mr. Hall received his MBA from Harvard Graduate School of Business Administration.

     

  • Marty MacDowell - Senior Vice President Sales and Marketing

  • Marty MacDowell is a results-driven senior management executive with a 25-year track record of achieving outstanding business outcomes with top tier consumer goods companies. His strengths include leadership, business development, and strategic planning and implementation.


    With an MBA in Finance from Xavier University in Cincinnati, Ohio, Mr. MacDowell's employment history includes key positions in marketing and planning with top CPG manufacturers such as Proctor & Gamble, Ralston Purina (Nestle Purina), Kraft Foods and Smithfield Foods.

     

  • Craig Linton - Vice President of Operations

  • As director of the sales team for Harris Food Group, Mr. Linton has been instrumental in guiding the HFG partnership with TGI Friday's to successfully launch the delivery of premium Friday's refrigerated products.


    Prior to joining Harris Food Group in 2008, Mr. Linton built successful retail and foodservice sales programs in senior management positions for prominent companies such as JTM Food Group and Viands Concerted, Inc. As Director of National Accounts for National Food Products, he developed key national accounts including Red Lobster, TGI Fridays and Boston Markets.