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• Scott Lineback, PhD

Scott Lineback, PhD

Scott is Vice President of Process Innovation, Sensory Sciences & Culinary Insights at ConAgra Foods.  Prior to joining ConAgra in June 2010, he was Vice President, Research & Development, Quality and Food Safety at Barilla America, Inc. and was with PepsiCo for 10 years in various positions including Sr. Manager Hot Fill Packaging Technical Services, Sr. Manager Gatorade/Propel Product & Process Development, and Director Quaker Foods & Snacks.  He also held process engineering positions at Nestle Research & Development Center.  Scott received his Bachelor of Science degree in Chemical Engineering from North Carolina State University and his Masters and PhD in Food Science, with a focus in Food Engineering, from Purdue University.

He assisted in teaching and tutoring Aseptic Processing, Food Process Engineering, and Better Process Control at Purdue University. Scott has been very active in professional organizations and other activities throughout his career.  He held multiple roles over the past 20+ years in IFT including Student Association (IFTSA) President, Student Representative to the Executive Committee (previous name for the Board of Directors), Student Representative to the Food Engineering Division, Student Representative to the Short Range Planning Committee, IFTSA Nominations Chair, IFTSA Strategic Planning Chair, IFTSA Long Range Planning Chair, IFTSA Symposium Chair, IFTSA Program Chair, Product Development Division Founder and Chair, Committee on Global Interests, Nominations and Elections Committee, Foundation Board of Trustees, Task Force on Strategic Development, and Awards Jury Member and Chair.  As a graduate student at Purdue, Scott was active in the Food Science Club, served as a Judge at the Indiana State Fair Wine Competition and as the Alpha Epsilon (Agricultural Engineering Honor Society) Treasurer and Awards Committee Chair.  Scott enjoys sports, especially golf, exercising, and spending time with his family.

What do you feel you can contribute to the growth and advancement of IFT?
I will contribute my time, energy, passion, and commitment to serve as an effective and engaged member of the board.  A strong belief in voicing different opinions, listening to others, and having constructive discussion and debate to arrive at the best decisions exists.  My collaborative style of interacting with others to seek opinions and input to drive data-based discussions will be evident.  Overall, I will utilize my broad background in industry and IFT, along with my passion and belief in IFT, to contribute to achieving our Mission and Vision.

What are the three most important strategic issues facing the profession and the industry that align with IFT's goals and how would you address these as a member of the Board of Directors?
Lack of scientific vocations
The three most important strategic issues facing the profession and the industry are recruiting and training future food scientists and leaders, establishing a trusted spokesorganization for food science and technology, and developing and implementing technologies to maintain a safe and abundant food supply for the increasing global population.

This first issue, recruiting and training future food scientists and leaders, directly aligns with IFT's goal of being a steward for the profession and its community.  With the predictions for global population growth and the retiring baby boomer population, it is critically important to increase recruiting and training to ensure our pipeline of future scientists and leaders.  As a result, IFT needs to play a key role in developing and implementing programs to drive interest and enrollment in food science and technology. 

The second issue, establishing a trusted spokesorganization for food science and technology, directly aligns with IFT's goal of being an influential advocate and trusted spokesorganization.  With the evolution of computers, internet, online chat rooms, online news sources, tweeting and other modes of social media, inaccurate information is easily spread and becomes “accepted common knowledge or fact” to the average consumer.  IFT must continue to establish itself as the voice of sound science to influence informed decision making and consumer understanding.

The third issue, developing and implementing technologies to maintain a safe and abundant food supply for an increasing global population, is part of IFT's Vision.  As the global population grows and more agricultural land is converted into residential and business property, scientists will continue to be challenged to develop higher yielding crops, more efficient food processes, and decreased postharvest food losses in order to feed the world.  The types and costs of protein sources to feed the increasing population and the food safety of expanding global food distribution systems will also be key challenge areas.  IFT must think strategically to plan and prepare for the future challenges of providing a safe and abundant food supply for the growing global population. 

Why do you want to serve on the Board of Directors and how has your work and volunteer experiences prepared you to be a strategic board member?
IFT is an organization that brings together scientists from a wide variety of core disciplines.  The organization is committed to providing a community to enhance member collaboration and professional development, and in turn, drive the future of the profession and the industry.  I have been actively involved in IFT for over 20 years because I believe in IFT and in IFT's ability to play a significant role in developing current and future scientists and leaders, and realizing the vision to ensure a safe and abundant food supply.  I want to serve on the board because I am passionate about IFT's success, ensuring and improving membership value and delivering IFT's vision and mission.

The experiences I have obtained through my involvement in IFT and professional career have prepared me to serve as a strategic member of the IFT Board of Directors.  IFT experiences from early in my graduate career through the present years include several appointments on various strategic planning committees and short and long range planning committees, as well as many other leadership and committee roles.  Professional experiences also include a strong background in strategy development for process and product innovation and organizational structure planning and implementation.  My volunteer and work experiences, along with my passion for IFT and the profession, make me an ideal candidate for the IFT Board of Directors.   

What defines a successful board and how would you contribute?
In order to have a successful board, the organization must have a clearly defined mission, vision, objectives, structure and governance.  The board itself must consist of a group of diverse members with a variety of backgrounds and experiences.  In order to function as a successful board, the members must be good communicators and strategic thinkers.  The best decisions will be made when all board members share their opinions, listen to other's opinions, constructively debate and then utilize all the information to arrive at a final decision.  A successful board also requires a strong leader to facilitate the meetings and the process.  Finally, all board members must remember that they are representing the membership.

My background in the food industry, leadership experience, and broad IFT experience has prepared me to effectively serve as an IFT Board member.  As a board member, I will commit to listen, share my opinion, constructively debate, make decisions, and represent the membership.

Formal Education 
Purdue University: PhD, Food Science (with a focus in Food Engineering), 1994
Purdue University: MS, Food Science (with a focus in Food Engineering), 1989
North Carolina State University: BS, Chemical Engineering, 1987

Career History

Leadership Experience

• Purdue University Outstanding Food Science Award, Recognition for Purdue Alumni Outstanding Contributions to Food Science, 2010
• PepsiCo Health and Wellness Innovation Award, 2007
• PepsiCo Chairman's Award, 2002
• PepsiCo Chairman's Award, 1999
• M&M Mars Inc. Scholarship Award, 1992
• Indiana Section, IFT, Recognition for Contributions of Leadership and Service to IFT and Food Science Activities, 1989
• Outstanding Freshman, School of Agriculture and Life Sciences, North Carolina State University, Gamma Sigma Delta Agricultural Honor Society Scholarship Recognition, 1983