JRA Builds Senior Team

In the US, J. Reckner Associates, Inc. (JRA) has added two Senior Vice Presidents, Cindy Ward and Steven M. Aukers, to lead the development of its global sensory and market research practices. Former Kraft researcher Beth Logan also joins, as an Account Director.

Ward's in-depth experience of sensory and consumer research programs includes spells as Global Head of Sensory Science at Givaudan Flavors where she built a team of 45 scientists across 11 countries. The author of more than 30 publications, she is a past Chair of the Sensory Evaluation Division of the Institute of Food Technologists and an ASTM member. She holds a Ph.D. in Sensory Science and Product Development from the University of Georgia Food Science Department and a BS and MS in Food Science from the University of Delaware.

Aukers arrives from TNS where his leadership roles included Head of Strategic Planning. Prior to joining TNS, he headed up MR and Strategic Intelligence for DHL Worldwide Express (Deutsche Post World Net), and also spent time as Professor of Recreation, Park and Tourism Sciences at Texas A & M University. His Ph.D. is in Human Performance from Indiana University with emphasis work in Marketing, and he also has an M.S. and a B.A. from Indiana University.

The firm says the two Ph.D.s will 'work together to lead the industry in building the bridge between sensory, consumer and market research sciences to enable break-through innovation'.

After seventeen years at Kraft Foods, Logan's expertise is in the food industry, health and wellness - as well as market and sensory research and product development, she has experience in nutrition and regulatory matters. She holds an M.P.H. from New York Medical College and a B.A. from the University of California at Santa Cruz.

JRA, based in Montgomeryville, PA and with offices in five other states and in France, is on the web at www.reckner.com.

All articles 2006-23 written and edited by Mel Crowther and/or Nick Thomas, 2024- by Nick Thomas, unless otherwise stated.

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