Meet the La Terra Fina Leadership Team

La Terra Fina Leadership Team

Stephen Cottrell

President & CEO

President & CEO bio image

Stephen has led La Terra Fina since 2015, after previously serving as CFO since 2011. Stephen has led LTF through significant organic growth, as the team has driven sales, operational efficiency, new product development and commercialization, as well as brand recognition to become nationally recognized as the dip and quiche company to beat!  Prior to joining La Terra Fina, Stephen spent time working in public accounting in both the UK and the US. His focus on the manufacturing industry helped him gain keen insights about strong and not-so-strong business operations, and he applies those insights today. Stephen’s experience at C&H Sugar and Genentech helped him to realize his desire to work at a small, nimble, rapidly growing manufacturer – La Terra Fina! What does he love the most about La Terra Fina? “One of many things I love about La Terra Fina is that we’re big enough to face some interesting challenges but small enough that we can make decisions quickly and see the results of those decisions come to fruition.” What makes Stephen tick? His love of learning, which fits well in La Terra Fina’s Continuous Improvement Culture!

Stephen says, “I love the rich, generous ingredients and wonderful flavor of all of our dips. However, my favorite product is our single serve quiches. They’re a great go to item for any meal when I’m on the run. They’re a really convenient grab and go item, healthy with lots of protein and very tasty.”

I love spending time with my family and friends and enjoy taking advantage of the many opportunities the Bay Area has to offer. I’m in my happy place when in a beautiful National or State park hiking and taking photos, or out on the golf course or ski slopes bonding with friends or my sons.

Cindy Hess

VP of Sales and Marketing

VP of Sales and Marketing bio image

Cindy has been instrumental in driving La Terra Fina’s incredible topline growth since 2015, making a significant impact in her leadership role in sales and marketing. The value Cindy brings to the LTF team has been built throughout her career and various CPG companies, representing many brands across the industry. Cindy’s experience includes notable companies – Pillsbury, M&M Mars, Heinz, and Schwan’s Consumer Goods across multiple product lines. She was drawn to La Terra Fina for the high-quality ingredients used to make our dip and quiche and the company’s core values. The excitement of a growing company that thrives on innovation, is responsive to our customers, and adapts to the ever-changing consumer demand keeps the team focused on long-term growth.

Cindy’s favorite dip is a tough choice. She loves the variety of flavors and being able to choose between spicy, sweet heat, and savory. Each family member has their favorites, so Cindy ensures she serves them to make everyone happy! The Tzatziki with Feta and Everything Bagel Dips are her new favorites. She pours it over veggies, adds it to hamburgers, sandwiches and chicken! Her friends get excited when she is in charge of the appetizers and fun to serve when we get together. Cindy also enjoys our quiche and particularly likes the Spinach Artichoke flavor.

When Cindy is not working, she likes cruising in her boat, fishing, and soaking up the sun with friends, enjoying the Florida weather. She likes the outdoors, hiking, traveling, and hanging out with family and friends.

Kristin Brink

VP of Finance & IT

VP of Finance & IT bio image

Kristin Brink has recently joined La Terra Fina as the VP of Finance & IT.  She is responsible for driving profitable growth through insightful analysis and ensuring that the company’s financial and IT systems support that growth.   “I joined La Terra Fina because of the exciting growth opportunities and the team’s collective ownership to drive change that benefits both consumers and customers.”  Before La Terra Fina, Kristin spent 17 years at The Clorox Company supporting business units in various Finance leadership positions.  She also has prior work experience in accounting and consulting with Arthur Andersen LLP.

Kristin enjoys hosting friends and family and is proud to serve her favorite, Greek yogurt Spinach Artichoke Parmesan dip, not only because of the great taste but the  clean label and high quality ingredients.

Born and raised in Austin, Texas, Kristin now lives with her husband and two children (ages 8 and 11) in Oakland, CA.  She enjoys training for and competing in triathlons and spending time outdoors with her family.

Andres Santano

Vice President Supply Chain

Vice President Supply Chain bio image

Andres Santano has recently joined La Terra Fina as the Vice President Supply Chain. He is responsible for all Procurement, Demand Planning, Warehouse, Logistics, and Customer Service. Andres came to us from a small glass bottled organic milk manufacturer and distributor where was the General Manager. Andres grew up in the food industry and has worked in a variety of key Supply Chain roles with small to large (CPG) Consumer Packaged Goods organizations such as Tyson Foods, Sara Lee, ConAgra Foods, Riviana Foods, and Dean Foods over the years. Andres brings to La Terra Fina a well-rounded Supply Chain background inclusive of S&OP, Transportation/Logistics, Manufacturing, Operations and Contract Manufacturing. He has extensive experience in building and managing teams across Supply Chain within a variety of food products. Andres is an accomplished leader and has demonstrated a consistent ability to lead high performing teams to meet and exceed expectations to deliver the right product and amount, at the right time and location, while maximizing company profitability.

Andres is really a huge fan of La Terra Fina products that deliver on flavor and clean label. He does not have one favorite product, but his top three are Artichoke Jalapeno, 3 Cheese Siracha, and any of the quiches. “One of my favorite things to do is to use some of our dips in sandwiches to turn up the flavor.”

I spend my spare time with family, friends, playing sports, traveling and being outdoors as much as possible. I enjoy tennis, hunting, fishing, boating, and anything that will take me outdoors. I was born and raised in Guatemala and now live in Texas with my wife (Ali) and my daughter (Gabriela). Gig’em Aggies!

Tom Chole

VP Operations and Innovation

VP Operations and Innovation bio image

Tom Chole has recently joined La Terra Fina as the VP Operations and Innovation. He is responsible for ensuring supply to sales and R&D. Tom has a varied background in Operations and Commercialization work with Dreyer’s Grand Ice Cream, Nestle and Safeway/Albertsons. Tom believes that La Terra Fina’s People First Culture and “Can Do!” Attitude is the foundation that will sustain the company’s growth.

Tom loves the Artichoke Jalapeno dips, or any spicey dips in the La Terra Fina portfolio. We have a clean, simple product line that delivers taste for all occasions.

I spend my spare time with family, friends, sporting events, traveling and basically being outdoors as much as possible. I am a Bay Area native and live in Danville with my wife (Donna). My three daughters are all college graduates and pursuing their passions in various professions.

Ro Carbone

VP of People

VP of People bio image

Although Ro just began her La Terra Fina journey in mid-2022, her career in People began two dozen years ago after her cross-country move to the Bay Area from New York City where she grew up. Her time before La Terra Fina was spent leading the People / Talent functions at diverse Silicon Valley high-tech startups—from online lending through virtual reality—and now she feels she has come home to her people: smart, generous, creative foodies! She sees the energy and complexity of what La Terra Fina does as a symphony of moving people, parts and process that culminate in an unforgettable taste experience. She was a big fan of LTF’s products before becoming an employee. She brings to the La Terra Fina table her expertise in helping employees love who they work for and she feels lucky to work at a company where people really do come first.

“I have been in love with our quiches and dips for years. My absolute faves are the Artichoke Spinach Quiche and our to-die-for Artichoke Jalapeno Dip! I love entertaining, and LTF products I will often serve proudly—and to the joy of my guests!”

Ro is an unrepentant serial dog and cat adopter and shares her Bay Area cottage with 3 cats, 3 small dogs, and a long-term Silicon Valley geek. They are surrounded by a neighborhood filled with many big, beautiful, gnarled oak trees and she loves the Bay Area’s many local hikes and sights!

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