D.D. Williamson announces the distinction of Fellow has been bestowed upon Margaret Lawson, D.D. Williamson Vice President of Science and Innovation, from the Institute of Food Science & Technology (IFST). Fellowship is the senior category of membership of the IFST. It is awarded only to those who have demonstrated a sustained level of exceptional professionalism and who have made important achievements in relation to food.Among her many accomplishments are the distinction of Fellow, and past President, of the Institute of Food Technologists (IFT) -- the premiere international scientific society of food professionals. A member of the Research Chefs Association, Ms. Lawson also serves on the University Industrial Advisory Board for University of California at Davis, and Board of Advisors for Xengaru Fun Foods. She holds eight domestic and global patents.

United States Cold Storage (USCS) has announced the promotion of Stephen “Steve” Cunningham to Area Manager - Pennsylvania, effective April 1, 2011. Steve joined USCS in 2005, as Operations Manager for the USCS-Bethlehem, PA facility, which was the newest facility in the company at the time. During his tenure, Steve oversaw three consecutive years of expansion, growing the Bethlehem facility from 4.3 to 13.3 million cubic feet. USCS Hazleton was constructed in 2008 and then expanded in 2010 to meet growing customer requirements for refrigerated logistics services. With Steve’s promotion, he is responsible for the successful operations and continued development of the Bethlehem and Hazleton facilities.

Brian Buck, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Takasago Americas, announced the addition of experienced flavor professionals to their staff. John Zanone was appointed as Senior Flavorist, Oral Care Flavors. Mr. Zanone began his previous career at Noville as an Analytical Chemist, advancing from Perfumer to Director, R&D to Senior Flavorist, Oral Care, during his 31 year association with the company. In his role as Senior Flavorist, he was responsible for all creative Oral Care projects in the Americas, working with some of the industry’s foremost manufacturers of best selling oral care products.

Slavica Pesic-Klajn was named Senior Beverage Technologist. Slavica Pesic-Klajn brings substantial experience to her new role as a Senior Beverage Technologist at Takasago. Her work in her prior position at Signature Design Spirits was focused on the development of customized spirits. She also developed vitamin and energy drinks targeted to the Asian market. Ms Pesic-Klajn has designed and assisted in the launch of more than 50 products that are currently offered in U.S. and international markets.

Michael J. Paul is New Senior Marketing Coordinator. Michael J. Paul fills the recently created position of Senior Marketing Coordinator. In this role, Mr. Paul will be assisting Maria Carluzzo, Marketing Manager, Beverages and Savory; and Sue Harrison, Marketing Manager, Confectionery and Oral Care. He will be reporting to both Ms Carluzzo and Ms Harrison. His responsibilities include assisting them with public relations, media and advertising and sponsorships of special events and trade shows. Mr. Paul provides substantial marketing experience from previous positions at NY Sportimes, PharmAdura, Pfizer and URS Corporation. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Marketing from St. Thomas Aquinas College in Sparkill, New York.

Shweta Kumari joins Takasago as Flavor Sensory Analyst. In her new position at Takasago, Shweta Kumari is responsible for conducting sensory descriptive, discriminative and consumer tests. She performs statistical analysis, writes reports and is involved in library testing. Before joining Takasago, Ms Kumari was a Research Assistant at Mississippi State University. Her earliest association was with the University of Wisconsin - Stout as a Laboratory Assistant. Ms Kumari is a Ph.D. candidate at Mississippi State University.