OUR TEAM
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Founder & Chairman
ANTHONY RIVIERA
Bringing over 30 years of unparalleled experience as a leading restaurateur, concept developer, and visionary to our team, Anthony Riviera has spearheaded the expansion of iconic brands like Caffe Primo, renowned for its top-notch food and gelato in an elegant yet casual setting. His exceptional leadership skills, uniquely honed during his tour in the US Army's Special Operations Command, further position Food Tech Corp. for success. Additionally, Riviera founded and led renowned restaurant chains such as The Red Burrito and Tony Maroni's Famous Gourmet Pizza, earning him recognition as the "#1 Rising Star in America" by Restaurant Hospitality Magazine.
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President & CEO
SIMON SMITH
Simon is a seasoned executive with extensive experience in developing and leading multibillion-dollar franchises and company-owned operations. Throughout his career, he has successfully implemented strategies for major companies like Blockbuster Inc., Ace Hardware, Chief Auto Parts (now AutoZone), and Papa John's International. His track record includes 15 years with Papa John's, where he ultimately served as Senior VP of North America, overseeing 3,500 stores and more than 800 franchises. During his tenure, Papa John's achieved positive comp growth for eight consecutive years, generating approximately $2.3 billion in annual revenue. Simon's leadership has also contributed to billions of dollars in revenue through franchise growth and expansion, securing government funding, and optimizing operational efficiency across multiple companies. He is renowned for his strong values, exceptional work ethic, and integrity-driven leadership style, which inspire those around him to excel and exceed their goals.
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Chief Financial Officer
RICHARD GROBERG
Richard is a senior and accomplished operating and financial executive with a long and successful track record of working with entrepreneurs in high-growth and multi-location companies in start-ups; company turn arounds, and stable operations - all while directing/completing complex financial transactions. Mr. Groberg's cumulative track record of public and private capital raises (both equity and debt) plus M&A transactions exceeds $2.9 billion across several decades – with a recent focus on building and managing the back office operations of start-ups early-stage companies anticipating multiple rounds of financings. His engineered deal closings span the entire spectrum of credit worthiness: from: angel investing at various stages to prepackaged bankruptcies to mezzanine offerings to public and private equity raises. Mr. Groberg has a B.A. in English from Emory University and an M.B.A in Finance from Fordham University.
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Controller, Treasurer
ERIC GROBERG
Eric has more than 40 years of professional experience primarily working with small and mid-sized businesses in the financial services industry. Eric has served as Director of Finance at Curiam Capital, a private investment firm that has financed more than $1 billion of high-value litigation. In addition, Eric has been the Managing Partner for EOTP Consulting, which provides outsourced financial and strategic advisory services primarily to small businesses. Eric previously served as Managing Director for the Senior Debt Team at Allied Capital. Prior to joining Allied Capital, Eric worked at JPMorgan Chase for more than two decades, ultimately overseeing portfolio management for the Middle Market Financial Sponsor Group, and now serving as Treasurer for Food Technology Corp.
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Chief Logistics Officer
STEPHEN SHORT
Stephen is a results-oriented executive with over 25 years of leadership and operations experience in multibillion-dollar companies. As a Six Sigma certified professional, he excels in strategic planning, operational efficiency, and servant leadership. Stephen fosters a collaborative, performance-driven culture, guiding teams with award-winning leadership principles. His track record includes overseeing distribution and logistics for more than 5,000 Papa John's locations, boosting sales by 15%, maintaining team retention rates above 75%, and leading the division with the lowest supply chain costs. He also helped Raising Cane's earn the "Best Place to Work" award for Salt Lake City restaurants. Stephen serves as the treasurer of the board for the Nevada Restaurant Association and is a U.S. Navy veteran, honored with multiple awards for his bravery and leadership. His expertise in team management, strategic growth, and operational excellence makes him a valuable asset to any organization.

Chief Technical Officer, Co-founder
BENOIT HERVE
Benoit brings over 25 years of extensive experience in technology design, support, sales, and marketing to our team. His impressive career spans various leadership roles at renowned companies such as AnDAPT, Altera, Enpirion, Powervation, Zilker Labs, and Motorola. Mr. Herve holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from ESIEE Paris and a Masters in Electronics Automation from the Université de Rennes I, uniquely positioning Benoit to drive technological excellence at Food Tech Corp., and ensuring our continued leadership in the field.
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Co-founder
MICHAEL FRANZESE
As a co-founder of Food Tech Corp., Michael brings a wealth of entrepreneurial experience and business savvy to our team. With a successful track record in various industries, including film production, sports management, and hospitality, Michael has demonstrated a keen eye for opportunity and a talent for innovation. His leadership and vision have been instrumental in the founding and growth of our company, positioning us for success in the competitive landscape of the food industry. Michael is also an accomplished author, motivational speaker, and media personality, sharing his expertise and insights with audiences worldwide.

Chief Software Engineer
YOUSSEF BOUSFOUL
With 5 years in IT Engineering and a Masters in Computer Science, Data Analytics, and International Business, Yousef brings an array of expertise to Food Tech Corp. His deep insight in web and mobile app development, project management, digital marketing, and data analytics makes him a versatile leader. Committed to driving innovation, Yousef leverages technology to optimize performance within Food Tech Corp.

Director, Food Production
ENRIQUE SANTA CRUZ
With a background rooted in food science and technology, Enrique leads the food production team at Food Tech Corp. as the Director of Food Production. Guided by his expertise in food processing techniques and equipment, Enrique oversees the development and implementation of efficient production processes to optimize productivity while maintaining the highest standards of food safety and quality. His strategic approach to production planning and his focus on continuous improvement drive innovation and excellence across our production facility.

Co-director, Food Production
PIERO MONTES
As the Co-director of Food Production at Food Tech Corp., Piero blends his extensive culinary expertise with a passion for innovation to spearhead our production operations. With over 25 years of experience in the food industry, Piero has honed his skills in quality control and supply chain management. His commitment to excellence and attention to detail ensure that every product leaving our facility meets the highest standards of taste and quality. Piero's leadership inspires our team to push the boundaries of traditional food manufacturing, delivering innovative solutions to meet the evolving demands of our customers.