Customer Relationship Team

Darren started at Silva in 1997 and currently serves as Vice President of Sales, where he is responsible for driving sales performance and managing Silva's greater sales. He also sits on the Executive Leadership Team. Darren holds a bachelor’s degree in business management from Calvin University with a minor in finance. Darren is a father of four boys and enjoys spending time with his family, as well as hunting, fishing, golfing, and being active in his local church.

George, who started with Silva in 2017, oversees all plant operations. He provides leadership in strategic planning, team development, and continuous improvement to drive operational excellence and consistently achieve and exceed customers’ expectations. George is an alum of Purdue University and has more than 25 years of experience in food manufacturing. Outside of work, he enjoys spending time with his wife and three daughters as well as any outdoor activities.

Jeff has been with Silva since 1998, working within the commercial sales side of the business and in various management positions before becoming the president of Silva. He also serves on the Universal Ingredients leadership team. Jeff oversees all aspects of the business together with Silva’s Executive Leadership Team, along with driving plans for growth and continued partnership with our customers. Jeff holds a Bachelor of Science degree in business with a marketing concentration. He has served and continues to volunteer on various local school, college, and church committees.

Kent DeVries started with Silva in 1991. During his many years he has overseen all aspects of the business as a previous owner, including becoming the president. Today he continues to lend his expertise into the business as a senior advisor.

Pontus has been with Silva since 2005 and oversees Silva's global raw material procurement, our quality assurance efforts both internationally and within our U.S. operation, and business development. He also serves on the Executive Leadership team. Pontus holds a bachelor of science in finance and economics from American University of Paris. In his free time Pontus enjoys traveling, spending time with his family and the occasional round of golf.

Since joining Silva in 2008, Tim has overseen the finance, human resources, and IT departments, while serving as a member of the Executive Leadership Team. In addition to his role at Silva, he is the Regional Finance Director for Universal Ingredients. Tim holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting and is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA). Outside of work, he enjoys spending time with his family and actively leads and serves in various ministries and faith-based mission organizations.

Alex started at Silva in 2025 and manages customer inquiries and processes orders, ensuring timely support.

Anthony has been a Silva sales representative since 2007. He travels the U.S. and Canada helping new customers launch new food, pet food and nutraceutical items with a focus on strengthening and growing brands. Anthony holds a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration with a minor in human resources. In his free time he is into endurance biking with family, friends and even co-workers. If it has two wheels, he wants to ride it. His goal is to mountain bike the Colorado Trail with his two boys, 500 miles from Denver to Durango.

Chris started at Silva in 2025 and manages customer inquiries and processes orders, ensuring timely support.

Dave started with Silva in 2001 and handles the day-to-day business with both existing accounts and new customers to communicate product knowledge and service opportunities. In addition, he handles pricing, negotiates contracts, and works side-by-side with accounts on new projects. Dave holds a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration with a marketing minor. Outside of Silva, he enjoys coaching his kids sports teams, vacationing with family, and attending local sports games.

Kassandra, who started at Silva in 2023, fulfills customers’ sample requests, assists with R&D blends, and applies for certificates to export out of the country. Outside of work, she enjoys making floral arrangements/bouquets and custom items (crafting). 

Kim began working at Silva in 1999. She is responsible for invoicing, overseeing order information, entering and maintaining customer information, and she creates documents for export shipments. Outside of Silva, Kim enjoys spending time with her husband and daughter, gathering with friends, reading, and pool days.

Matt started with Silva in 2015 and works with new and existing accounts to grow and develop business and solve problems in the customers' space. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in marketing with an entrepreneurship minor. In his free time he enjoys photography, working on vehicles, and spending time with family.

Rick began working at Silva in 2012. He enjoys every part of dealing with customers on a day-to-day basis and does his best to get to know them to make their jobs easier. He graduated from Purdue University with a degree in German – International Studies and a minor in International Business. He spends his free time with his three young children, coaching and watching sports, and trying to enjoy it while it lasts! He also enjoys golfing when he can get away with it!

Ronni, who started at Silva in 2018, assists in the day-to-day operations of the sales team, which includes entering orders, production information, and providing general customer service. Prior to Silva she worked in customer service and had retail sales experience for five years. Outside of the office, she enjoys spending time with family, boating, and anything water-related.

Sean, who started at Silva in 2019, enjoys working with CPG clients across the globe. His focus is on new product development and contract management, both stateside and in international markets. He holds a Bachelor of Science in marketing with a sales management emphasis from the University of Dayton, and received his MBA from Cal Poly Orfalea College of Business. He spends his time with his wife, Julia, and their dog, George, and when he’s able, enjoys tennis, golf, and skiing.

Stan has been with Silva since 2002, first working as account sales representative then transitioning to his current role as key account sales manager within the sales department.  Stan enjoys working side-by-side with customers from account management, new product development, and problem solving to gain better efficiency. Stan holds a bachelor’s degree in marketing from Northern Illinois University. He enjoys time with his family, many outdoor activities, and home projects. 

Tami started at Silva in 2018 and has worked in, and alongside, various departments in that time. Prior to her current role as sales assistant, she spent several years working in the production facility, which allowed her to view Silva's processes from start to finish. Tami has over 20 years of experience in customer management, which includes past work in banking, sales administration, as well as property management. 

Tyler has been at Silva within the sales department since 2012. His primary focus is working with the sales team to support achievement of various sales objectives, especially top-notch service to Silva’s customers. Tyler also works closely with other departments to enhance Silva’s ability to serve customer needs at a high level. Tyler holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business with a Management concentration. In his free time, Tyler enjoys camping with his wife and five boys, playing basketball, and anything outdoors.

Alesha, who began working at Silva in 2013, is responsible for implementing and managing the supplier quality programs, SEDEX, and social responsibility. She drives continuous improvement with suppliers to achieve vendor compliance and meet the raw material quality standards. She holds an M.S. in Education & Interdisciplinary Studies, a B.S. in Agriculture Science, and A.A. in Agriculture Business and is HACCP Certified and Preventative Controls Certified. Outside of Silva, she raises Nigerian Dwarf dairy goats, and enjoys spending time with family. 

Dan started at Silva in 2018, and is responsible for analyzing purchasing data, coordinating cargo inspections, and review of vendor laboratory reports. He holds a B.A. in political science with a concentration on research methodology. He also has six years laboratory experience. Outside of Silva, he enjoys spending time with family and friends; hiking; taking trips with his dogs; cooking; and, working on projects around the house.

Eric has been with Silva since July 2021. He is a buyer of raw material ingredients used to produce Silva’s finished goods. Eric has an Associate's Degree in Applied Science and is a Six Sigma Yellow Belt. Outside of the office he enjoys playing in a local cover band on weekends and adventuring out for some camping, hiking, kayaking, or motorcycle riding with his wife.

Kelly, who has been with Silva since 2001, assists purchasing and coordinates import shipments. She also reviews and implements U.S. Customs/FDA/USDA regulations. Kelly has an Associate Degree in Accounting. She enjoys biking, attending her sons' school events and sports, spending time with her family and friends, and any outdoor activities.

Rodrigo has been with Silva since 2007, always in China developing and implementing various quality programs at this raw material point. He holds a computer science certificate and has obtained a Hazard Critical Control Point certificate, International Organization for Standardization (ISO), Auditor trainee (AIB standard) and pest control principles. Rodrigo’s experience in the AD industry started back in June 1996 in Chile; he relocated to China in 2002, fell in love with the opportunities and challenges within China. and decided to stay. Since then, Rodrigo met a lovely Chinese national and got married in 2012. In his spare time, soccer is the preferred sport but he also enjoys ping-pong when weather does not allow outdoor sports.

Tyler has been with Silva since 2010 working within the purchasing department. He is involved with inventory management, product contracting with raw material vendors, and working on new product/new vendor development. Tyler strives to maintain and build relationships with our raw material vendors to ensure sufficient supply and quality products. Tyler holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration with a finance minor from Trinity Christian College. Outside of work, Tyler enjoys spending time with his two young children, as well as a variety of sports and activities such as cycling, hiking, running, and cross country skiing.

Ciara has been with Silva since 2023. She assists with customer document requests and questions, investigates customer complaints, and supports the quality team during audits. In addition to more than eight years of experience in quality, she is HACCP Certified, PCQI Certified, Six-Sigma Yellow Belt, and an SQF Practitioner. Outside of Silva, she enjoys traveling to new places, cooking, and going to car shows with her loved ones.

Nick started with Silva in 2017. He is responsible for ensuring the Quality Management System and that related processes are fully executed to ensure food safety. He is also responsible for ensuring proper handling of regulatory, third party, and customer audits. Nick holds a B.A. in biology from Indiana University and is SQF, HACCP, ISO 17025 Lead Internal Auditor, FSSC 22000 Lead Internal Auditor, and PCQI Certified. Starting his career in a laboratory setting, Nick had the opportunity to develop an understanding of microbiological issues related to food and the environment in which it's manufactured. Surrounded by a great team, it drives his career development and passion for a positive food safety culture. Outside of the office, Nick enjoys spending time with friends and family.

Sarah is the Director of Food Safety and Quality at Silva, having started in 2025. With over 15 years of experience in the food industry and more than a decade in R&D, she brings deep expertise backed by a BS in Chemistry and an MS in Analytical Chemistry. Sarah is a certified PCQI , lead auditor, and well-versed in BRC, SQF, and FSSC standards. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her family and dogs, gardening, and being outdoors.

Abelardo has been with Silva since 2007 when he started as a production line worker. He has worked in the shipping department since 2015. Outside of Silva, he enjoys family time, coaching high school soccer, and loves having a good workout at the gym.

Alex started at Silva in 2023. As a receiving supervisor, he manages and oversees all inbound shipments to ensure accuracy, quality, and efficiency in the receiving process. He leads and develops his team to maintain precise inventory control, streamline operations, and uphold all safety and compliance standards. Alex holds a bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice/Business Administration from Olivet Nazarene University, and is HACCP Certified. 

Born and raised in Macedonia, Dan moved to the United States with his family in 1999. Dan has focused on all Silva engineering needs, including an emphasis on major production capacity and efficiency projects since joining the Silva team in April of 2021.

Prior to Silva, Dan led a team of engineers on high speed bakery production line expansion projects in Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin, Tennessee, and Georgia. Dan has over 20 years of experience in food manufacturing executing labor productivity improvements through deployment of best practices and lean manufacturing principles. Dan enjoys spending his free time with his wife and his three daughters.

Eduardo joined Silva in 2016. He supervises compliance of receiving practices with established company policies and standards. Eduardo has a bachelor's degree in physical education. Outside of Silva, he enjoys spending time with his family and rebuilding cars.

Lisa has been with Silva since 2012, She coordinates the work flow from order to the warehouse to shipping, checks and compares freight costs, and supervises shipping employees. Lisa has an Associates in Applied Science and has been in the shipping industry for more than 30 years.

Stan has been with Silva since June 2025. In his role, he collaborates with functional leadership to identify and select processes or projects for inclusion in the organization’s continuous improvement initiative. Stan holds a B.S in Organizational Leadership and previously held positions as maintenance manager and operations manager in the steelmaking industry. 

David has been part of the Silva team since 2018, managing the accounting department. David holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting and a master’s degree in business administration (MBA) from Indiana University, and is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA). 

Lisa began working in the accounting department at Silva in 2019. She provides accounts payable, accounts receivable, and other accounting services. Outside of Silva, she enjoys spending time with family.

Mark has been part of the Silva team since 2020, managing the human resources department. Mark holds a bachelor’s degree in entrepreneurial management with minors in finance and theology from Trinity Christian College. Mark also holds a Professional in Human Resources (PHR) certification from the Human Resources Certification Institute and is a member of the Society for Human Resource Management. Outside of work, he enjoys quality time with his wife and four children, serving in church ministry, reading, board games, and scuba diving.