August 01, 2022

Henry Bedford, Southwestern 

Board chair Henry Bedford has assumed the role of CEO at Southwestern Family of Companies, following the departure of Dustin Hillis. Hillis had served as CEO since July 2018 and had joined the company in 2006. Bedford has spent more than 45 years with Southwestern, having started as a student sales rep. 

Vincent McMahon, Southwestern

Southwestern Family of Companies has appointed Vincent “Vince” McMahon to general manager of the Southwestern Distribution Center. McMahon has more than 20 years of operational leadership experience, including with CEVA Logistics, Advanced Innovative Technology Corp., and Beck/Arnley Worldparts Inc.

David MacLean, PPLSI

PPLSI, the parent company of LegalShield and IDShield, has promoted David MacLean to vice president of strategic growth within its Business Solutions division. MacLean will oversee strategies for membership growth, marketing and communications. Most recently, he was vice president of sales in that division. Before PPLSI, he was at MetLife. 

Shoeb Ansari, eXp World Holdings

eXp World Holdings has hired Shoeb Ansari as chief information officer of eXp World Holdings. In this new role, Ansari will lead software engineering, product management, IT, product launch, project management, and data services. Prior to this role, he was the chief technology officer for RealPages and PR Newswire. 

Leo Pareja, eXp World Holdings 

eXp World Holdings, the holding company for eXp Realty, has hired Leo Pareja as president of affiliated services for eXp Realty. He will oversee products and services such as mortgage, title, escrow, and lead-generation platforms. Pareja has more than 20 years of real estate experience and co-founded Washington Capital Partners. 

María Andrea Vargas, Natura

María Andrea Vargas has been named  general manager of Natura in Colombia. Vargas has spent 10 years with Natura and worked as a product marketing manager and makeup grouper as well as commercial operations manager. Specializing in industrial engineering and cosmetics, Vargas will also prioritize continuing initiatives to protect the Amazon rainforest.

Lawrence Perkins, NewAge

Lawrence Perkins will serve as interim principal financial officer for NewAge Inc. Perkins and the firm he founded, SierraConstellation Partners LLC, already provide chief restructuring officer and other services to the company. He has over 20 years of management consulting and advisory experience with companies in transition.

Dan Gubler, Vasayo

Vasayo has named Dr. Dan Gubler, Ph.D., as chief scientific officer and head of the Vasayo Scientific Advisory Board. Gubler is a chemist and former Brigham Young professor researching phytonutrients in plants to help improve people’s health. He is the founder and host of “Discover with Dr. Dan: The Proactive Health Podcast.” 

Roberto Vicinanza, Kyäni 

Kyäni has appointed Roberto Vicinanza, M.D., Ph.D., to the company’s Scientific Advisory Board. Dr. Vicinanza is a physician, geriatrician, researcher and associate professor at USC Leonard Davis School of Gerontology. He specializes in nutrition, cardiovascular health, nitric oxide, diet, and metabolic disorders.

Paul Jarvis, Tocara

Canadian jewelry company Tocara has appointed Paul Jarvis as global president and chief operating officer (COO). Jarvis most recently served as global chief operating officer of Juice Plus+. In his 25-year career, Jarvis led global direct sales including Organo Gold and Vision International People Group. He will lead daily operations at Tocara.

Laura Brandt, IDLife

Laura Brandt has been promoted to president of IDLife. She will now establish the company’s short- and long-term goals, oversee resource allocation, and help cast the company’s vision. Brandt joined IDLife in 2013 as director of project management. She previously worked at Enhance International and Max International, in corporate and the field.

Mark Bennett, IDLife

IDLife has appointed Mark Bennett to chief business and legal officer. Previously, Bennett served as chief operating officer and general counsel. He will now work with leadership to execute key growth strategies, develop new business opportunities, and oversee legal and regulatory affairs. Before IDLife, Bennett spent almost 20 years practicing law.

Justin Sparks, IDLife

Justin Sparks has joined IDLife as chief financial officer. He will oversee the company’s financial strategy to increase profitability and improve overall financial health as well as use data and analytics to drive business. With a 24-year career in business intelligence and finance, Sparks previously worked at WorldVentures as well as startup ventures.

Kim Drabik, DSEF

Kim Drabik, senior director of corporate affairs for Plexus, has joined the Direct Selling Education Foundation (DSEF) Board. Drabik, who served as chairman of the World Federation of Direct Selling Associations Advocacy committee, will serve three years on DSEF’s board. Previously, she spent 28 years with Amway.

DSA, New Board Officers

The Direct Selling Association (DSA) elected new officers to its board of directors: Chairman – Kevin Guest, USANA Health Sciences Inc., CEO and Chairman of the Board; Vice Chairman – Danny Lee, 4Life Research, President and CEO; Vice Chairman – Cindy Monroe, Thirty-One Gifts, Founder; and Treasurer – David Merriman, ACN Inc., Executive Vice President.