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CFBN Events

connect. convene. facilitate.


We continue to closely watch the guidance of local, regional, and national government restrictions to best shape our future in-person and event offerings. In the meantime, we continue to offer a collection of virtual and hybrid events designed to create opportunities for connection, networking, and knowledge sharing amongst our industry! Our hope is to provide opportunities for our industry to connect via conversation, education, and virtual networking to keep innovation happening and keep our industry mobilized! Use the links below to connect to those events and STAY TUNED - we are working with all of our members to build out more content for the the coming months!   

Upcoming CFBN Events:

    • 27 Feb 2025
    • 12:00 PM - 1:30 PM
    • Virtual
    Register

    Join the Chicagoland Food & Beverage Network for this free lunchtime webinar exploring the current state of hiring and staffing in our industry. Experts, including executive recruiters, hiring companies, and staffing agencies, will share insights on anticipated challenges and trends for 2025. The panel of experts will discuss how to prepare for evolving workforce needs, talent acquisition strategies, and potential shifts in the food & beverage landscape. Gain a competitive edge by understanding what lies ahead and positioning your organization for success.

    SPEAKERS

    JAMES CRACKNELL

    Head of Recruitment 

    The Sterling Choice 

    James is a Specialist Recruitment Consultant in the food and beverage manufacturing industry, partnering with businesses across the Chicagoland region to help them attract and retain top talent. With over eight years of experience, he has built a reputation for delivering high-impact hiring solutions and brings deep market insight and a results-driven approach to talent acquisition. Passionate about long-term partnerships, he works closely with leadership teams to solve hiring challenges that drive business success.


    PAT GRECO

    President

    GSI Family Office to G Ninety Family Partners

    Pat is the President of G Ninety Family Partners, a single-family office based in the suburbs of Chicago and owned by the Greco family. The assets managed by the family office primarily consist of a large portfolio of cheese manufacturing and processing companies (Cheese Merchants and their affiliates), commercial real estate, and securities investments. The family previously owned and operated a large foodservice distribution company, Greco and Sons, before selling to Sysco Corp. in 2021. Pat’s background is in both corporate law and food operating companies, having worked within both Greco and Sons, as well as the Cheese Merchants portfolio, as legal counsel, M&A and corporate governance. Pat received his bachelor’s degree and law degree from Northwestern University and previously practiced corporate law at McDermott Will & Emery before joining the family businesses in 2018.


    CARL GUASTAFERRO

    Senior Talent Acquisition Business Partner

    McCormick & Co.


    Carl Guastaferro is a Senior Talent Acquisition Business Partner with 6 years of experience at McCormick & Co. Inc. In this role, he covers R&D, Corporate Quality and Regulatory, Flavor Sales, Finance, and Procurement. Additionally, he is involved with projects on talent branding and continuous improvement in the talent space.  Prior to McCormick, Carl was on the Talent Acquisition team at Firmenich, a global flavor and fragrance company


    R.J. PARRILLI

    CEO

    Midway Staffing

    RJ Parrilli is the CEO of Midway Staffing and its affiliated entities. He has co-founded several staffing and recruitment firms specializing in food manufacturing & distribution, light industrial, construction, office, and healthcare roles. Under his leadership, his companies have become some of the largest and fastest-growing privately held staffing agencies in the U.S. 


    We are grateful for the participation of: 









    • 7 Mar 2025
    • 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
    • Webinar
    Register

    Learn how to leverage CFBN’s resources to become an expert networker. Following networking best practices (and using CFBN’s Member Tools & Perks) can help you improve your communication skills, grow your business, and build your career. 

    Having the right connections can be a big advantage – that’s why networking is such an important skill, and why CFBN exists. In general, building up your networking skill set takes time and practice. Unsure how to get started?  Don’t worry –  CFBN’s list of best practices will set you on the path to networking success. The more you apply these simple guidelines to your networking efforts, the better your results will be.





    • 20 Mar 2025
    • 7:00 AM - 9:30 AM
    • CoLaboratory, 1210 W. Lake St. Chicago IL 60607
    • 100
    Register

    Back in 2017, many people got to know the then-new Chicagoland Food & Beverage Network through its monthly "Innovation Breakfast" at Bluedog Design in the West Loop.  Each month, we featured an innovative food & beverage industry topic or thought leader along with sold-out crowds and a great breakfast. 




    We are thrilled to be bringing it back with our friends from Bluedog and Perkins Coie, a law firm known for technology and innovation worldwide. 

    Join us and get tapped back in to all of the cutting edge thinking that makes Chicago the innovation hub of the food & beverage industry.

    Save the Date.  More details to come!

    • 27 Mar 2025
    • 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM
    • Fifth Third Bank Office, 222 South Riverside Plaza
    • 97
    Register

    Did you know that the food manufacturing industry is one of the top most cyber attacked industries globally?  In fact, the food and agriculture industry faced over 160 cyberattacks in 2023, causing supply chain disruptions worldwide.

    Because the food manufacturing industry is just beginning to be digitized, and many companies are using legacy IT tools to manage their operations, there is room for cybercriminals to find a way in. But as our industry updates its technology, cybersecurity needs to be a priority to minimize vulnerabilities and avoid far-reaching consequences such as food safety risks, disruptions to global supply chains, tampering with testing and food quality data, the potential to have counterfeit product introduced into the supply chain, and more.

    Join CFBN* and Fifth Third Bank for this important conversation along with a panel of top experts on March 27th.   Together, we will discuss strategies for preventing “the scariest thing to happen to your business.”

    *Please note, refunds will not be processed for registrations cancelled within 24 hours of the event. 


    AGENDA

    5:00 PM   Doors Open / Welcome

    5:30 PM   Panel Discussion 

    6:15 PM   Q&A

    6:30 PM   Networking

    8:00 PM   Event Ends


    PANEL

    DAVID ANDERSON

    Principal and Cybersecurity Consultant

    CLA (CliftonLarsonAllen, LLP)


    David is a Principal and Cybersecurity Consultant in the CLA National Digital group with a strong focus on Offensive Cybersecurity. He has over 12 years of experience in the field, performing penetration testing, vulnerability assessments, and social engineering engagements. David's expertise also includes project management for cybersecurity engagements across a diverse range of industries.

    David has firsthand knowledge and experience using leading edge hacking/testing methods:  External and internal network penetration designed to gain access to high value targets / Social engineering techniques designed to assess security related to the human element / Techniques for email phishing that result in remote access to company networks, bypassing improperly configured firewalls and proxy systems / Domain and network management


      KARRIEANN COUTURE

      Managing Director

      AON

      Karrieann Couture, Managing Director, leads Aon’s Cyber/E&O Claims Advocacy and Legal Team in providing zealous advocacy to clients navigating the claims process following a cyber incident or a third-party claim. Karrieann also serves as a trusted advisor for clients when it comes to cyber, technology, media, and professional liability exposures.

      Prior to joining Aon, Karrieann led the Cyber/E&O claims team at CNA, ensuring best-in-class customer service, providing claim handling oversight and support, and driving technical excellence. Karrieann also held claim leadership positions in Professional Liability and Management Liability and practiced as an insurance coverage and litigation attorney.

      Karrieann served as an Executive Council Member for CLM Cyber Claims College, where she participated in overseeing the curriculum and taught courses.  She has also spoken at various industry events and has published articles.


      ROD KAHL

      Director of Cyber Security 

      Mindsight


      Rod Kahl leads ACP CreativIT’s Cyber Security practice, defining strategy and delivering innovative security solutions for clients. With decades of experience spanning IT, network security, and penetration testing—including work with the Department of Defense—Rod takes a proactive approach to securing environments beyond just "checking the box." Rod is CISSP certified and specializes in identifying vulnerabilities, leveraging AI-driven security tools, and forming strategic partnerships to enhance ACP’s security offerings. His focus remains on protecting businesses with forward-thinking, efficient security strategies. Mindsight is now part of the ACP CreativIT Family of Technology Solution Providers. 




      More Speakers to be announced.....



      This event is in partnership with: 



      We thank the participation of:




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