Our Founder
Aaron Lamstein, Executive Chairman
Aaron Lamstein is the co-founder and former Chief Executive Officer of Worldwise and currently serves as Executive Chairman.
Lamstein co-founded Worldwise in 1990 with the idea of making environmentally responsible products attractive, effective, affordable, and accessible to people worldwide.
Since then, his unique entrepreneurial vision and capabilities have led Worldwise brands to exponential growth and success as one of the country’s most respected and innovative pet product suppliers. Worldwise’s ability to combine sustainability with profitability continues to influence and inspire retailers, consumers, and the media alike.
Lamstein frequently speaks, and is interviewed, as an expert about issues surrounding the design, manufacturing, distribution and marketing of environmentally responsible consumer products. He was on Wal-Mart’s Environmental Advisory Board from 1999-2004, is a member of Social Venture Network, and sits on the Board of Directors of Worldwise and the Environmental Education Council of Marin.
Lamstein holds a B.A., with an individual field of concentration in International Political Economy, from UCLA.
Our Senior Management Team
Matt Turnbull, Chief Executive Officer
As Chief Executive Officer and a member of the Worldwise Board of Directors, Matt Turnbull brings to Worldwise significant experience working with and managing rapid growth companies.
Most recently, Turnbull was a partner with Pelican Partners Investments, a private investment firm, and served as President and CEO of San Marcos Holdings, a manufacturer and marketer of packaged baked products and operator of Champagne Restaurants in California. He continues to serve on its board.
His partnership in Growth Partners led to the purchase of Lubricating Specialties Company, a specialty chemicals manufacturer, which he and his partner managed directly.
Prior to these roles, Turnbull served as Executive Vice President for The Custom Shop, Director of Strategic Planning for Circle K, and worked in store operating and finance roles at Saks Fifth Avenue and Carter Hawley Hale. He has also been a consultant to private equity investors and has served as an interim executive during company transitions.
Turnbull holds an M.B.A. from Harvard University and a B.A. in Economics from UCLA.
Shari Freedman, Chief Financial Officer
Shari Freedman brings to Worldwise 20 years of experience at an executive level, developing and leading teams for finance, human resource and administration functions at consumer branded and retail companies in high growth situations.
Most recently Freedman served as Chief Financial Officer of Niman Ranch, Inc., a branded gourmet and natural meat company. She has also held senior finance positions at Charles Schwab & Co., Gap, Inc., PepsiCo, and General Motors Corporation.Currently, Freedman chairs the Finance Committee and serves as Vice Chairman of the Board of the San Francisco Food Bank.
Freedman holds an M.B.A. from Georgetown University and a B.A. in International Relations and Economics from American University.
Andy Murrer, Vice President of Operations
Andy Murrer brings to Worldwise 25 years of experience in executive Operations positions and a reputation for improving revenues and profits in high growth organizations.
Murrer came to Worldwise most recently from Leapfrog Enterprises, an educational toy manufacturer specializing in electronic-based learning devices. As Senior VP of Operations & Logistics there, he headed purchasing, planning, sourcing, and logistics. Previous to Leapfrog, Murrer was VP and General Manager of Fisher Price Operations. He has also held leadership positions in operations and finance at Mattel, FTD, and Teleflora.
Murrer holds an M.B.A from UCLA and a B.S. in
Accounting/Finance from Ohio State University.
Shannon R. McWilliams, Vice President of Product Development and Marketing
Shannon McWilliams has a 20-year track record of creating and managing profitable growth through his leadership in marketing, sales and new product development functions, most recently in the pet products industry.
As Vice President of Marketing & Product Development for Petmate, McWilliams helped drive record growth over a seven-year period. Prior to Petmate, McWilliams served as the Director of Industrial Business with The Stanley Works in Dallas from 1994 to 2001. He also served in several other key marketing positions for brands such as Stanley, Mac Tools, and Proto.
McWilliams holds a Bachelor of Business Marketing Degree from the University of Phoenix and is a committee member of American Standards for Testing and Materials and the Society of Plastics Engineers.
Nick Yerton, Vice President of Sales
Joining Worldwise in 2003, Nick Yerton was recently promoted to Vice President of Sales after gaining significant pet category experience over the last six years. Most recently he served as Director of National Accounts where he oversaw specialty and dollar store classes of trade. Under his account management, Worldwise received multiple service awards from customers. He has also helped Worldwise expand its business into Canada.
Prior to Worldwise, Yerton was a territory representative with Newell Rubbermaid. He holds an M.B.A. and a B.A. in Business Administration from Northern Arizona University.
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