Grant Newsteder, CEO
After studying art and sculpture at The Parsons School of Visual Arts, he went on to form his own graphic design and print company. Realizing that many of the techniques used in the printing industry could be applied to chocolates, he decided to enter the field.
In 1985 he began working for Chocolate Pix, Inc. of Utica, New York where he was a production manager and mold maker. Mr. Newsteder’s talents as a sculptor allowed him to create extremely detailed molds for use in making chocolate. He was soon asked by other chocolate companies to create specialty molds for their clients as well. As a result, he began consulting for those companies. He traveled first to Canada to meet with a group of investors who had an interest in starting a chocolate business. Mr. Newsteder provided information and advice and hands-on assistance in setting up a location, purchasing equipment, and training personnel. Once the company began operating successfully without the help of Mr. Newsteder, he returned to New York.
Shortly after, Mr. Newsteder went on his first of three trips to Japan to work with SGO, a company which had just set up a chocolate manufacturing facility and also needed start-up assistance. He formulated production schedules and trained SGO workers to operate machinery and make molds. He helped management make contact with buyers and offered suggestions on packaging and supplies. His support allowed the facility to begin day to day operations as a full service chocolate production company.
Upon his return to the United States, Mr. Newsteder traveled to Boise. It was during this time that he began to use his graphics and print experience to further improve his technique for applying edible color to custom molded chocolates. Mr. Newsteder sold his shares in Kastle Chocolates to his partner and returned to New York in 1993.
Mr. Newsteder worked as a mold maker for various chocolate companies in the New York area 1993 through 1999 before forming Got Chocolates, Inc. in 2000. Got Chocolates was Acquired by Gunther Grant, Inc. and added to the Gunther Grant public company.
Marcie Allen, President
Earned a B.S. degree in Marketing/Management from CW Post College. Her 25 years of experience in the direct marketing field with companies such as Doubleday Book & Music Clubs, Reader’s Digest Association, and Bertelsmann Direct North America has given her the marketing expertise to be an effective member of the Gunther Grant team.
From 2004 to the present, Ms. Allen has sourced and marketed general merchandise to ten specialty book clubs as a Senior Buyer for Bertelsmann Direct North America (formerly Bookspan/Yes Solutions). In 2007 she was promoted to Associate Director. In this position she is merchandising for book clubs as well as merchandising and marketing for BMG Music Service and Columbia House DVD Clubs. From 2001 to 2004 Ms. Allen worked closely with Grant Newsteder at Got Chocolates, Inc. to develop products for the ad specialty market and has been involved in all areas of the Company including production, package design, catalog, website, customer service, sales and marketing.
Patricia A. Lopez, Vice President
Patricia Lopez, joined Gunther Grant, Inc. in 2005. Prior to that Ms. Lopez was employed by KPMG (formerly KPMG Peat Marwick) as a manager in the Settlement Administration/Legal Services department where she managed high profile tort cases such as Solomon Bros. Settlement, Dow Breast Implant Settlement Fund, the Kuwait War Reparations Program, and the Manville Asbestos Trust Fund. Ms. Lopez also handels compliance and filing issues for the public aspect of Gunther Grant and helps prepare legal and necessary documents for FINRA and the SEC. In addition Ms. Lopez runs the office and schedules the daily activity keeping production on time. Her many years of background and experience make Ms. Lopez a key member of the Gunther Grant management team.
Mike O'Neill
Production Coordinator
David Hinde
Marketing and Public Relations
Rich Elling
Special Projects Manager
Stewart Gelman
CPA
David Weinstein
Corporate Counsel
Brian Cassidy
SEC Counsel
20 additional employees are available as needed
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