Executive Team
Nuriche was founded in late 2008 by a seasoned group of innovative business and network marketing executives dedicated to providing live whole food nutrition, business opportunity and life-affirming educational experiences that promote whole living. The executive’s vision, industry experience and product focus, as well as their commitment to putting the needs of their Independent Business Owners (IBO’s) first, is behind the growing success of the company. In addition, their commitment to nutritional education and charitable giving is at the core of their business model. Partnering with a surging network of enthusiastic IBO’s, the executive team is poised to ensure that there is no limit to Nuriche’s progress.
David Parker – Chief Executive Officer
David is an experienced businessman and entrepreneur, with a successful 36-year track record in the investment banking and venture capital world. He has managed both private and public companies and has served on the boards of several successful organizations. Based on his experience and observations, David has lectured on business practices in academic and business venues both domestically and internationally. He has a belief that when done right, direct sales is one of the most powerful business models that exists today. David and the executive team at Nuriche are committed to pursuing a strategy that will create long-term growth and success for Nuriche Independent Business Owners and employees. David is also committed to a corporate culture of gratitude and abundance, exemplified by Nuriche’s humanitarian service through My Firm Foundation. As he provides strategic oversight to the growing Nuriche network, David’s goal is to sustain long-term income opportunity for the company’s Independent Business Owners and to fund Nuriche’s philanthropic initiatives. David and his wife, Lauren, are the parents of six children and grandparents of 17.
Doug Folsom – Chief Financial Officer
Doug brings more than two decades of experience in accounting, finance, auditing, banking and strategic planning to his role as Nuriche’s Chief Financial Officer. His vast experience and financial expertise are crucial as he oversees all financial aspects of Nuriche’s growing national and international business. Prior to joining Nuriche, Doug, who is a Certified Public Accountant, served as CFO and a member of Senior Management for a number of companies in diverse industries contributing to the financial success of each. For one national branding and communications agency, where he was a partner and CFO, Doug developed and implemented a financial reporting system that sustained the growth of the agency from annual billings of $55 million to more than $300 million. For another international branding and communications agency headquartered in Chicago, IL, he oversaw the financial strategies of each of its five domestic offices and worked hand-in-hand with its worldwide offices in New York City, NY and Paris, France. More recently, Doug developed and implemented business plans and strategies in industries such as manufacturing, personal services and Internet retail. Doug and his wife, Teresa, are the parents of four children.
Michael Mansfield – Chief Operating Officer
Michael is uniquely qualified to oversee Nuriche’s operational strategy and to establish and maintain corporate culture as Nuriche’s Chief Operating Officer. A skilled attorney with more than 25 years experience, Michael has used his vast business law experience to manage corporate compliance, regulatory function, litigation and intellectual property strategy for several network marketing companies during the past few years. In addition to his duties as COO, Michael serves as executive director of Nuriche’s philanthropic philosophy and initiatives through its non-profit entity, My Firm Foundation. He is passionate about providing opportunities for humanitarian service, personal development and micro-enterprise opportunities to those affiliated with Nuriche. An attorney with heart, Michael is devoted to service and helping people reach their potential. Mike and his wife, Kris, are the parents of five children and are grandparents to five.
Ron Heaps – Principal/VP of Technology & Commissions
Ron has been a leader in Information Technologies for most of his 30-year career. Prior to joining Nuriche, he spent 10 years as Managing Director of IT for one of the fastest growing international network marketing companies in the world. In this role, he was instrumental in building technology platforms and infrastructure to support the growth and expansion of international business into nearly 50 markets, facilitating the use of local currencies and languages. Additional responsibilities included overseeing commissions, auto ship, events, incentives and recognition as well as managing some of the company’s smaller, unopened markets around the world. As one of the founding principals of Nuriche, Ron tapped his comprehensive industry experience to help create and design the Nuriche EquiFlex™ Rewards Plan, the most equitable and rewarding compensation plan in the network marketing industry today. Ron and his wife, Annie, are the parents of two children.
Ben Tyler – Principal/VP – Risk Management & Legal
Ben adds his 18 years of professional skills as a lawyer and international entrepreneur to the Nuriche team, ensuring the company’s smooth functions in risk management and legal functions. Prior to joining Nuriche, Ben served as president of a whole food company which began in Japan and was headquartered in Utah. He directed the company’s product development and validation, distributor training and support and marketing and communications strategy. He has also served as general counsel for one of the largest networking marketing companies in the world, and was instrumental in opening most of that company’s major markets, including Japan, which quickly became its largest global market. In addition to his legal duties, Ben enjoys working with Nuriche’s Independent Business Owners as they build their organizations and expand into new markets. Ben and his wife, Valerie, are the parents of 11 children and the grandparents to two grandchildren.
Phil Sykes – Principal/VP of Product Strategy
Phil has spent more than 25 years in the network marketing industry leading sales, training and marketing efforts in two of the industry’s international giants. First introduced to the industry in 1983 in his native Canada, he helped build the Canadian market for a large, multi-national network marketing company as its director of sales and marketing and discovered his passion for training. In 1996, he was recruited to a new, rapidly growing network marketing company to open the Canadian market, and over a seven year period, saw its sales grow into the hundreds of millions of dollars. In 2004, that company brought him to Utah where he was charged with developing a global distributor “success program”, which combined training, events and recognition into a continuous graduated program. This program was launched in 22 languages and in 30 countries simultaneously with Phil orchestrating worldwide training. As a Nuriche founding principal, Phil brings a passionate belief in how value-based network marketing can change the lives of customers and IBO’s for the better. Phil and his wife, Betsy, are the parents of three children and are grandparents to two.
Brett Barrett – VP of IBO Success
Brett has spent the last decade of his career leading sales and training for two of the largest network marketing companies in the world. A popular speaker and trainer, Brett has presented to hundreds of audiences in 30 countries with attendance ranging anywhere from 50 to 10,000. His passion is helping Independent Business Owners achieve their definition of success, making him a natural to lead Nuriche IBO programs and training to facilitate IBO development. During his career, which has included owning a sales and marketing training company and working in the aviation industry, Brett has authored more than 25 workbooks on topics including Leadership, Exceptional Customer Service, Quality Training, and others. Brett has an enthusiasm for life and people that is contagious. He is eager to share the Nuriche opportunity and says, “I love Nuriche. Nuriche Live and ReVIVE have helped me get into the best shape of my life!” Brett and his wife, Kathy, are the parents of four children.
Gordon Fralick – VP of Operations
Gordon brings nearly 20 years of extensive experience in leading and managing regulatory and quality teams, developing and implementing manufacturing systems and registering products and establishing business entities for large, multinational supplement companies. As VP of Operations, Gordon directs all aspects of Nuriche’s manufacturing operations located in Cedar City, Utah. He has been instrumental in instituting a new manufacturing production system and refining quality assurance processes. He will also play a significant leadership role as Nuriche opens new international markets. Prior to joining Nuriche, Gordon worked for an international direct sales company with operations in 55 global markets. As vice president of Regulatory Affairs and Quality Assurance, he established offices in domestic and international markets, registered products throughout the world, implemented quality systems and worked with third party laboratories to perform stability studies and to have products tested for nutritional content and for sports banned substances. He has led similar global initiatives for two other international direct sales companies. He holds a BS in Food Science and Technology from Brigham Young University and a MBA from the University of Utah. Gordon and his wife are the parents of four children.
Bob Freeze – VP of Corporate Communications
Bob is a veteran communications executive who is responsible for overseeing all corporate communications programs for Nuriche, including strategic communications initiatives with Nuriche’s rapidly growing Independent Business Owner network. In addition, Bob leads all media relations efforts and communications campaigns with other important audiences. With more than 28 years of experience, Bob has led the development and implementation of strategic communications initiatives for companies in diverse industries, including the direct sales industry. Most recently, Bob established an international communications capability for one of the fastest growing direct sales companies in the U.S. While there, Freeze developed and oversaw the implementation of a global media relations program that garnered six billion global media impressions in five years. In addition, he oversaw the company’s internal communications program for distributors and a proactive public affairs program. He also led the development and implementation of the company’s philanthropic and sponsorship initiatives. Bob and his wife, Danielle, are the parents of four children.
Joe Ware – VP of International
Joe has more than 20 years of network marketing experience with some of the largest companies in the world and has the unique perspective of having been both a distributor as well as a corporate executive. Fluent in both Spanish and English, Joe has extensive experience in the Latin American markets, particularly in Mexico, where he oversaw the operations of that market for a large network marketing company, turning the Mexico market into one of the largest in the company. He also has a very extensive technical background and has led cross-functional teams in the design, budgeting and deployment of business initiatives that have resulted in rapid growth and profitability for several international companies. As VP of International, Joe is uniquely qualified to lead Nuriche’s international growth and expansion as it takes its live, whole fruit products to the international arena. Joe and his wife, Paula, are the parents of four children.