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Get To Know The Team

business team having video conference with another

Annaliza Cirasuolo

Position: Finished Fudge Maker

Annaliza was born in the Philippines and lived in New Jersey for almost 20 years before moving to New York. A proud mother, Annaliza has two boys and two girls, and a grandson whom she dotes on adoringly. When she does get a quiet moment to herself, Annaliza enjoys watching a good action or horror film. She enjoys any type of music and loves to travel. The top place on her bucket list of travel destinations is Disneyland in Tokyo! Her favorite fudge flavor is Salted Nut Roll.

Annaliza Cirasuolo

Finished Fudge Maker

Anthony Montoya

Position: Facility Supervisor

Anthony recently returned to New York after living in Virginia and North Carolina.  Growing up, he traveled extensively while his father served in the Coast Guard. At that time, he was captivated most by New York, and has rekindled that love, with his recent move back. In his downtime, Anthony enjoys binge-watching Netflix — he’s a true crime buff with a passion for documentaries and Law & Order SVU.  Anthony spends time with his family, plays football with his son, and recently has embraced road trips along the east coast for both business and pleasure. Visiting Spain for its food and culture is on his bucket list. His motto is: “Take it day by day!” Hands down, Mint Chocolate is his favorite fudge flavor.

Anthony Montoya

Facility Supervisor

Brian Sumpter

Position: Finished Fudge Maker

Brian lives by the adage: “If you like it, love it.” There is no doubt that he LOVES watching sports, playing chess, and becoming engaged in a good game of cards. He adores Caramel Chocolate Peanut Fudge. It tastes just like a Snickers® Bar!

Brian Sumpter

Finished Fudge Maker

Bryan Maalihan

Position: Warehouse Supervisor

When Bryan is not spending time with his family, he enjoys fishing, basketball, and football. Bryan jokes that people who know him insist that he has OCD. His detail-mindedness comes in handy when he builds miniature doll houses and creates their accessories. Bryan can’t decide between Salted Nut Roll, Rocky Road, and Chewy Praline as his favorite fudge. Nuts are easy: Cinnamon Glazed Cashews. “The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing” – Edmund Burke.

Bryan Maalihan

Warehouse Supervisor

Caroline Eckert Quintana

Position: Human Resources Manager

Caroline is a dedicated employee who spends her days happily supporting her Calico family. When it comes to sweet treats, her go-to fudge flavors are Coconut Custard and coffee-inspired varieties.

Caroline Eckert Quintana

Human Resources Manager

Carrie Rinker

Position: Director of Key Accounts

Carrie leads a busy life, dedicating much of her time to work, leaving her with little downtime. After a long day, she unwinds by preparing dinner and spending quality time with her adult daughter and two cherished cats. When she does find a free moment, Carrie immerses herself in inspirational podcasts, enjoys her love for music-especially country-and indulges in gripping crime dramas. Carrie adores trucks and you’ll never see her driving anything else!

A passionate football fan, Carrie is a proud and unwavering supporter of the NY Giants. Weekends are for making memories with friends and family, whether by going out or simply enjoying each other’s company. Carrie also has a deep love for the beach, spending summer days out east and embraces the crisp autumn air in a hoodie by a cozy fire pit.

As a travel enthusiast, Carrie dreams of exploring as many countries as possible. Among her favorite adventures so far are marveling at Portugal’s breathtaking landscapes and visiting an elephant sanctuary in Thailand. When it comes to sweet treats, she’s all about Peanut Butter Chocolate Fudge, but Espresso Martini Fudge keeps beckoning her.

Carrie Rinker

Director of Key Accounts

Christen Slutskaya

Position: HR Coordinator

Christen is a dedicated employee who brings warmth and positivity to everything she does. Outside of work, she’s a dog lover who loves to travel and spend her free time with her husband and their fur baby. Her favorite fudge flavor is pumpkin pie.

Christen Slutskaya

HR Coordinator
Christy Brazil

Christy Brazil

Position: Finished Fudge Production Worker

In 1995, Christy earned her license as a social worker in her native Philippines, dedicating herself to helping others. After enduring the hardships of a devastating typhoon, she made the life-changing decision to move to the United States in 2013, seeking a simpler, more peaceful life.

Now, Christy finds joy in the company of her loving husband and their cherished daughter. She is deeply involved in her church community, playing an active role in planning events and managing budgets for various activities. As a devoted member of the Immaculate Conception Church (ICC) and the El Shaddai community, she embraces faith, fellowship, and meaningful connections. Through El Shaddai, she enjoys vibrant gatherings, family outings, beach trips, visits to Hershey, PA, and seasonal activities like apple picking.

Despite her busy days filled with household responsibilities, Christy always carves out time to indulge in her favorite Filipino drama series. A true homebody at heart, she treasures moments of rest and relaxation. Her sweet tooth leads her to savor delightful desserts, especially traditional Filipino treats enjoyed during Christmastime. When it comes to fudge, she has two favorites-Pumpkin and Tiger Butter.

Through faith, family, and simple pleasures, Christy embraces life with warmth and gratitude.

Christy Brazil

Finished Fudge Production Worker

Cliff Rivinius

Position: Sanitation Operator

Cliff is married to his high school sweetheart, Catherine, and they have four grown children: two boys and two girls. Cliff enjoys boating, fishing and riding motorcycles. He collects vinyl records and attends concerts, particularly enjoying country and rock. His all-time favorite concert experience was seeing Alice Cooper perform live. His fudge flavor of choice is Raspberry Chocolate Swirl.

Cliff Rivinius

Sanitation Operator
Portrait of Clyde Refaro wearing a blue collared shirt, smiling against a solid red background.

Clyde Refazo

Position: Shipping Clerk

Originally from the Philippines, Clyde emigrated to New York in October of 1988. He currently lives in Queens Village, is married, and has two college-aged daughters. Clyde is very social and enjoys spending time with friends and family. With friends, he often repairs cars, goes biking, or heads to the shooting range. He watches action and comedy films with his family, and will often take his mother and mother-in-law out for meals at seafood restaurant. When alone, Clyde enjoys fishing for flounder, striped bass, and blue fish in Port Jefferson. He also listens to music, with hip hop, reggae, and acoustic being his favorite genres. Clyde loves traveling and visits his sister-in-law in California and cousins in Canada. He embraces camping, having camped in Upstate NY with his brother and a friend. Pennsylvania is also an area where they enjoy camping. Topping his travel bucket list is Australia! When it comes to fudge, Clyde’s top picks are Mint Chocolate Fudge and classic Chocolate Fudge.

Clyde Refazo

Shipping Clerk

Debra Walker

Position: Master Fudge Maker

Debbie enjoys time with family and friends from junior/senior high school who spend holidays, birthdays, and vacations together. Debbie was a hair stylist for 38 years and owned a salon. She likes cooking, gardening, and crafts, especially woodworking (she makes decorative signs). Debbie feels rejuvenated at the beach and relishes soaking in the sun and people watching. “Be the change you wish to see in the world” is her favorite Gandhi quote. Best fudge flavor? Strawberry Cheesecake.

Debra Walker

Master Fudge Maker

Denise O’Neill

Position: Customer Success Advisor

When Denise has free time, she enjoys spending the majority of it with family and friends. In winter, skiing tops the list of family activities. During warm weather seasons, the O’Neills head to Disney parks. They are Disney fanatics! Denise uses the words of Theodore Roosevelt as her personal mantra: “Believe you can and you’re halfway there.” And her all-time favorite flavor of fudge? Peanut Butter Explosion.

Denise O’Neill

Customer Success Advisor

Esmeralda Contreras Rodriguez

Position: Warehouse Manager

Esmeralda is a proud Mexican-American and first-generation born, deeply connected to her heritage and family. She describes herself as loving and caring, with her kids at the center of her world, and she treasures creating special memories with them.

Growing up in Texas, Esmeralda played golf in school, and today she enjoys spending time outdoors with her husband and children. Her husband has a green thumb, and she’s always happy to be his helper in the garden. She also loves cooking and grilling-especially when it involves spicy food!

A true Netflix enthusiast, Esmeralda’s favorites include Dexter, Breaking Bad, and Six Feet Under. She’s also passionate about music of all kinds- from German, Spanish, Mexican, and Colombian genres to rock, alt rock, Russian music, and even opera. Her all-time favorite band is Nine Inch Nails. Known for being both a talker and a great listener, she brings warmth and energy to those around her.

When it comes to Calico fudge, Esmeralda can’t choose just one-her current favorites are Cookies n’ Cream and Peanut Butter Chocolate.

Esmeralda Contreras Rodriguez

Warehouse Manager

Evelyn Rosales

Position: Business Line Analyst

Evelyn is the youngest of four and adores her family, along with her German Shepherd, Koby. In her spare time, she likes exploring museums in the city, attending paint and sip nights, hanging out with friends, and discovering new restaurants—especially Italian and Mexican spots she finds through TikTok recommendations. As a Sagittarius, Evelyn has a passion for travel. Turks & Caicos tops her bucket list, though she often travels to Cancun and then to El Salvador to visit relatives. Some fun facts: Evelyn played on her high school tennis team, and she loves tropical places but can’t swim. Cookies ‘n Cream is her top fudge choice.

Evelyn Rosales

Business Line Analyst

Farouk Olokodano

Position: Maintenance Supervisor

Farouk treasures quality time with his family and friends and enjoys exploring the world with his girlfriend. Together, they love taking long, leisurely walks in botanical gardens and visiting museums, where their shared appreciation for creativity and culture shines.

A skilled craftsman with a vivid imagination, Farouk has a unique talent for creating art from scratch and bringing inanimate objects to life. He is passionate about blacksmithing, crafting intricate swords like the Japanese Katana and Viking blades, often drawing inspiration from the fantasy stories he loves to read. His artistic pursuits extend to puppet-making; he is currently designing a character inspired by beloved classics like The Muppets and Fraggle Rock.

Farouk’s diverse interests include fantasy, anime, horror, and alien-themed films, as well as Japanese 70s fusion music, jazz, hip-hop, and heavy metal. When he’s not crafting or exploring new artistic endeavors, he enjoys binge-watching acclaimed shows like Breaking BadGame of Thrones, and Better Call Saul.

Although his only international trip so far has been to Nigeria, Farouk dreams of visiting Greece, Greenland, and Japan someday. As a devoted fudge enthusiast, his favorite flavor is Cookies ‘n Cream, but he’s excited to try Coconut Custard and anything strawberry-flavored.

Farouk Olokodano

Maintenance Supervisor

Franklin Zabaleta

Position: Senior Quality Assurance & Quality Control Technician

Franklin, a native of Venezuela, has been living in the United States since 2015, with a brief interlude in Colombia. Outside of work, Franklin finds his greatest joy in hitting the gym, where he spends six days a week lifting weights. For him, working out is more than just staying healthy and in shape-it’s a therapeutic ritual that clears his mind and brings him peace.

Franklin has an insatiable thirst for knowledge. He enjoys processing information, reading, and delving into philosophy, particularly pondering life’s complexities and deeper meanings. When he’s not exercising his mind or body, Franklin cherishes time with his extended family. Whether gathering at a favorite restaurant to enjoy Peruvian, Argentinian, Brazilian steak, Colombian, or Venezuelan cuisine, or simply sharing stories and music, family time holds a special place in his heart.

An eclectic music lover, Franklin tailors his playlists to match his mood and activities. He opts for relaxing tunes when he’s deep in thought, energizing rock to gear up for the gym, and surprisingly, romantic melodies during his workouts. His passion for exploration extends to travel, and his top destination is Barcelona- a city he adores for its stunning scenery, vibrant tapas bars, and warm, friendly people. High on his bucket list are visits to Israel and Japan, two places that captivate his imagination.

For Franklin, indulgence comes in the form of Peanut Butter Chocolate fudge, his favorite treat. And the words he lives by come from Ecclesiastes 9:10 in the Bible: “Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might, for there is no work, planning, knowledge or wisdom in the realm of the dead, where you are going.”

Franklin Zabaleta

Senior Quality Assurance & Quality Control Technician

Georgie Demateo

Position: Sr. Mix Production Worker

Georgie’s favorite pastime is playing basketball. When not on the court, he likes to listen to music and have a good time hanging out with friends. Georgie appreciates the meaning behind the title of Bobby McFerrin’s song “Don’t Worry, Be Happy!” His favorite flavor of fudge is Cookies ‘n Cream. Mmmm!

Georgie Demateo

Sr. Mix Production Worker

Helene Snyder

Position: Customer Care Specialist

Helene is an empty nester with two grown children. She considers herself a homebody, and enjoys gardening, cooking, shopping, and anything family-related. An avid book reader, Helene is partial to mysteries and crime dramas. A good Stephen King novel excites her! Warm weather, beautiful beaches and listening to the ocean are her favorite past times. Playa del Carmen, Mexico, ranks as her top travel destination. Helene loves Peanut Butter Chocolate Fudge, but will try anything with nuts!

Helene Snyder

Customer Care Specialist

Ian Gerrard

Position: Executive Vice President of Sales

Whether visiting a new town or eating at the latest restaurant, Ian loves experiencing “firsts” with his family. An active group, they ride bikes, play soccer, and get competitive at board games. Ian grew up in Liverpool and adores football (soccer). He plays, watches, listens to podcasts, and coaches. Ian believes in the adage: “Find something to laugh about every day.” He snacks on Cinnamon Glazed Cashews and Dark Chocolate Caramel Sea Salt Fudge.

Ian Gerrard

Executive Vice President of Sales

Irael Castro

Position: Sr. Mix Production Worker

Irael, a native of El Salvador, loves the outdoors: parks, the beach, anywhere there’s nature. Irael likes to say that he has a “small house with a big backyard” where he enjoys hosting summer barbecues. He adores traveling and would one day like to visit Spain, the French Pyrenees, and Australia. Irael likes all genres of music and watches television only to see the news, soccer, and baseball. Strawberry Chocolate and Cookies ’n Cream are his favorite fudge flavors.

Irael Castro

Sr. Mix Production Worker

James Purino

Position: Manufacturing Coordinator

James’s niece means the world to him and he is thrilled when they can spend time playing. He’s also up for biking, socializing with friends, and hanging with his girlfriend. James lives by the motivational quote: “The harder you work for something, the greater you will feel when you achieve it.” He’s an equal opportunity fudge eater and likes all flavors!

James Purino

Manufacturing Coordinator

Jay Pandya

Position: Controller

A mindful individual, Jay prioritizes health and fitness while often immersing himself in nature by hiking various national parks and taking scenic drives. A travel enthusiast, he treasures his trip to Sedona, Arizona, and dreams of a tropical getaway to Bora Bora. A lacto-vegetarian, and self-proclaimed foodie, he savors Indian cuisine, Italian dishes, and Japanese Sushi.

Despite his packed schedule, Jay dedicates an hour each day to meditate after a brief sleep. His artistic talents shine through his sketches and painting, utilizing oils, acrylics, and watercolors. An avid reader of non-fiction, he delves into books on businesses, stocks, and life habits. Jay’s love for hip-hop music inspires him to write his own raps. Though not a major fan of TV or movies, he enjoys crime thrillers and Bollywood films. Jay also gives back by mentoring college students, helping them to embark on their paths to success. Fun Facts: Jay has a collection of over 65 watches and can roller skate!

Highlighting the importance of knowledge and understanding for reducing risk, Jay lives by Warren Buffett’s straightforward, yet insightful words: “Risk comes from not knowing what you’re doing.”

Jay’s favorite flavor of fudge? Hands down, it’s classic Chocolate Fudge.

Jay Pandya

Controller

Jeanette Eichele

Position: Customer Success Advisor

Jeanette and her husband, Steve, reside in Levittown with their two children, Justin and Brianna, along with their beloved dogs: Zuzu and Baxter. The Eichles are self-proclaimed homebodies and, when not hosting family or friends, are found playing highly competitive board games or watching their favorite Marvel movies. With a backyard pool open in the summer and a cozy fire pit crackling in the fall, their home is the go-to spot for gatherings. Picture outdoor movie nights under the stars, complete with S’mores! At the end of the week, friends drop by for Food Truck Fridays, where everyone picks up dinner from a nearby food truck hub. 

Jeanette stays busy as a girl scout leader, proud Swiftie, and a dedicated Mets fans who loves attending games. The family sticks to a vegetarian lifestyle, with Jeanette’s signature dish being her crowd-pleasing deconstructed stuffed peppers. The family also cherishes their trips to Hershey, Pennsylvania, and Lake George, keeping alive a  family tradition that began with her parents. Now, her brother, his family, and other close friends join them for these trips, staying at the same hotel they did as children. Jeanette has a soft spot for Peanut Butter Chocolate Fudge (“Mmm. So good!”) and lives by one of her favorite quotes: “Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life.”

Jeanette Eichele

Customer Success Advisor

Jennifer Collins

Position: Logistics Manager

Jen, the eldest of six, delights in her role as an aunt. She spends much of her free time riding her horse, Annie, an off-track thoroughbred, about five times a week. Gardening is another passion, especially when it comes to growing her own vegetables. When she’s not outside, Jen enjoys curling up with a good book or listening to country music. She adores globetrotting and cites Kenya, where she went on safari, as her top travel destination. Despite her many interests, Jen rarely steps into the kitchen since her husband, Dan, is a culinary enthusiast and grill master extraordinaire. She has a sweet tooth for Peanut Butter Chocolate Fudge and lives by Aesop’s wise words: “No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted.” 

Jennifer Collins

Logistics Manager

Jennifer Tenchavez

Position: Applications Developer

Jenn cherishes quality time with her husband and son, especially when they gather to enjoy their favorite Disney movies. She’s an avid reader and audiobook enthusiast, always eager to dive into a new story. Her favorite shows include Game of Thrones (minus the ending) and Outlander. Jenn also has a love for baking and is obsessed with the Great British Bake Off. When it comes to indulgences, Peanut Butter Chocolate Fudge and Cinnamon Glazed Pecans are her undeniable favorites.

Jennifer Tenchavez

Applications Developer

Jessica Jacobs

Position: Senior Marketing Manager

Jessica’s time outside of work is spent with her husband and two nearly adult daughters who still manage to keep her on her toes. When she’s not busy with them, you’ll find her indulging in her favorite pastimes: relaxing at home, getting lost in a good book, soaking up fresh air on a walk, or simply listening to music. If there’s one thing that keeps Jessica going, it’s coffee. She absolutely, no doubt about it, LOVES it! Hot or cold, morning or night, she’ll never say no to coffee! “Consistent effort over time equals results” is her personal mantra and it keeps her motivated and focused. Jessica’s favorite fudge flavors are Coconut Custard and Apple Cider Donut, and her preferred glazed nuts are almonds.

Jessica Jacobs

Senior Marketing Manager

Jimmy Jiminez

Position: Finished Fudge Supervisor

Jimmy is a true digital enthusiast, constantly immersed in the world of YouTube, where he enjoys watching vlogs and video tutorials. From them, he learned how to build his own computer from scratch, assembling the hardware, all components, and installing all the necessary software. His passion for gaming, especially role-playing games, is undeniable. Always striving for peak organization, Jimmy takes pride in keeping everything in its place. He finds deep meaning in a quote from Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes: “The chief proof of man’s real greatness lies in his perception of his own smallness.” And when it comes to indulging his sweet tooth, nothing hits the spot quite like a piece of Cookies ‘n Cream Fudge.

Jimmy Jiminez

Finished Fudge Supervisor

Jobanny Bayson

Position: Junior Maintenance Mechanic

Jobanny, a native of the Philippines, cherishes spending time with his wife, Nieva, and their two children. He enjoys taking walks, seeing friends, shopping at the mall, and eating out. Although he loves good Filipino food, he finds a delicious burger or pizza appealing. Jobanny is an avid basketball and badminton player who has recently taken up tennis. He enjoys traveling and the glitzy city of Las Vegas is on his bucket list of places to visit. Jobanny’s favorite fudge flavor is Chocolate.

Jobanny Bayson

Junior Maintenance Mechanic

Julianna Iovino

Position: Retailer Relations Coordinator

Julianna brings double the brainpower with not one, but two bachelor’s degrees-including one in Japanese Studies (yes, she speaks Japanese!). Her global adventures have taken her from studying abroad in Italy to traveling across the U.S. chasing her favorite bands. A proud mix of Italian and Armenian roots, Julianna’s heart beats to the rhythm of pop punk, emo, and alt music. She’s Fall Out Boy’s #1 fan (seriously-she’s seen them everywhere) and has a major love for My Chemical Romance.

Her passion for live music even took her to the Riot Fest Music Festival! A self-proclaimed movie buff, Julianna is all about Star Wars, Marvel, and edge-of-your-seat thrillers. She’s just as passionate about radio-she’s hosted her own alt music show and has even interviewed celebs like Austin Knight and Dee Snider while working at Hofstra’s radio station.

When she’s not working or rocking out, she’s spending time with her close-knit family and shared friend group (yes, her brother is part of the squad!). She’s also a dog lover with a beagle-hound named Scout, and has volunteered with Yorkie 911 Rescue.

Some of her favorite travel spots? Disney World and Chicago -a mix of magic, music, and fun!

And when it comes to fudge, Julianna’s current favorite is Cookies ‘n Cream, but she’s excited to try anything with caramel or vanilla praline.

Julianna Iovino

Retailer Relations Coordinator

Junior Brazil

Position: Production Worker

Whenever he can, Junior enjoys listening to music — classic rock is his favorite genre. You can also find him in front of the television watching boxing or mixed martial arts. In his down time, he loves spending time with family, cooking, and fixing things around the house. He’s an equal opportunity fudge lover and names Chocolate and Rocky Road as his favorite varieties.

Junior Brazil

Production Worker

Karen Connell

Position: Business Development Specialist

Karen is a woman who embraces the simple life and adores spending time with her husband, two children, and two miniature schnauzers. As a family, they enjoy bike rides together and weekend visits with relatives. In her down time, Karen loves to garden, watch Netflix, and cook. The family is into outdoor grilling and they watch different chefs on YouTube for inspiration. Karen loves to travel and likes anything beach related. Fun fact: After graduating college, Karen visited approximately 30 states across the U.S. and lived in various locations. Peanut Butter Chocolate Fudge is Karen’s current favorite fudge flavor. Her mantra is: “Live life to its fullest.”

Karen Connell

Business Development Specialist
Calico Cottage Team Member

Kelly Harris

Position: Sr. Credit & Collections/Accounts Payable Specialist

Kelly likes to travel, whether it be to visit friends and family or to get away and recharge. Her best vacation to date was her two-week trip to Italy (that included side trips to Salzburg, Austria and Munich, Germany for Oktoberfest). When the weather is nice, she enjoys taking leisurely drives to the North Fork of Long Island. Sometimes her fur-baby is her co-pilot. In her downtime, she likes to read mystery novels and occasionally a biography. Picking just one favorite fudge flavor is tough for Kelly, so she opts for Raspberry Lemonade as a great summer flavor, and Peanut Butter Chocolate as one of her classic choices.

Kelly Harris

Sr. Credit & Collections/Accounts Payable Specialist

Ken Datingaling

Position: Program Solutions Lead

Ken cherishes time with his wife, Kristy, son, Kyle, and they like movies, board games and video games. In summer, they enjoy the beach, hiking and mountain biking. They also love snowboarding, martial arts, and basketball. The LA Lakers are Ken’s favorite team. He loves cruises, Turks & Caicos, and puts Dubai high on his bucket list. Ken enjoys reading, Marvel movies and anime. He’s competed in martial arts tournaments and loves to draw. Favorite fudge? Salted Caramel Peanut and anything with coconut.

Ken Datingaling

Program Solutions Lead

Kenny Agricola

Position: Information Technology Manager

Kenny is a dedicated employee who spends his days happily supporting his Calico Family.

Kenny Agricola

Information Technology Manager

Kyle Menniti

Position: Customer Success Advisor
Categories: Customer Care

Kyle is a motorsports enthusiast who never misses a good race-whether it’s NASCAR, Formula 1, or anything with four wheels, he’s all in. When he’s not watching something fast, he enjoys relaxing at home with a great movie or Netflix show, and Italy is high on his must-travel list.

An animal lover at heart, Kyle has a dog named Tucker-a black lab and pointer mix-and dreams of one day opening an animal sanctuary.

His taste in music leans toward R&B and house, with Rihanna and Bryson Tiller among his favorites. He’s also a fan of thrillers and sci-fi, loves Bob’s Burgers and Family Guy, and counts Gone in 60 Seconds as his favorite movie. A self-proclaimed foodie, Kyle enjoys exploring new restaurants and trying different cuisines.

When it comes to Calico fudge, Kyle is most excited to try Dark Chocolate Salted Caramel.

Kyle Menniti

Customer Success Advisor

Lara Preite

Position: Material Planning Manager

Hailing from the beautiful shores of Brazil, Lara’s heart belongs to the beach, where she soaks up the sun and enjoys life’s simple pleasures. She’s all about barbecues with loved ones, adventurous hikes, and staying active through her love of sports. A fun and impressive fact: Lara played professional volleyball for 10 years! These days, she treasures every moment with her husband, Michael, and their playful golden retriever, Archie. 

Lara loves making memories with friends and family, whether they’re traveling to exciting new destinations, playing board games, or working on puzzles together. When it’s time to unwind, she’s all about watching “feel good” television that leaves her smiling. Lara’s dream? To witness the breathtaking magic of the Northern Lights. Her favorite fudge, without hesitation, is Dark Chocolate Raspberry Truffle. 

Lara lives by the inspiring words, “Trust God and his process” which guide her with faith and positivity through every chapter of her life.                                                                                                      

Lara Preite

Material Planning Manager

Laurie Methot

Position: Director of Client Services

A New York native, Laurie was born in Buffalo and lived in Syracuse, Albany, and Manhattan before leaving the state in 1999. She’s made her home along the eastern seaboard, as well as California, Texas, Tennessee and Thailand. Laurie and her husband, Steve, love golf and boating. They enjoy life at the marina, as well as taking out their boat on day trips and weekend excursions. When Laurie gets the chance to watch television, she prefers documentaries and programs focusing on history and war. She is a trained classical pianist who enjoys all music genres. While working in Thailand, Laurie traveled to amazing places like Laos, Vietnam, Japan and the UK. Her favorite spot is Koh Lanta, an island south of Bangkok, that is simply a beautiful, peaceful place. When it comes to communication, Laurie believes “It’s all in the delivery!” Chewy Praline Fudge is her current fave!

Laurie Methot

Director of Client Services

Luis Layug

Position: Manufacturing Supervisor

Luis is a devoted family man who finds joy in spending quality time with his kids, often treating them to his homemade meals, where his sushi-making skills truly shine. While basketball is his go-to sport, you won’t catch him in the pool—he doesn’t know how to swim! He lives by the inspiring words of Albert Einstein: “Never give up on what you really want to do. The person with big dreams is more powerful than one with all the facts.” When it comes to indulgences, Strawberry Cheesecake Fudge is his ultimate favorite.

Luis Layug

Manufacturing Supervisor

Mark Anthony Kempis

Position: Shipping Lead

Mark Anthony is someone who truly embraces being home. He will admit, however, that he’s lazy about folding his clothes. When he’s not procrastinating about that, he enjoys playing his guitar and listening to music. Mark Anthony follows the words of Confucius: “Don’t do unto others what you don’t want done unto you.” His all-time favorite flavor of fudge is Peanut Butter.

Mark Anthony Kempis

Shipping Lead

Markevin Kempis

Position: Warehouse Inventory Lead

As quiet as Markevin may be at work, at home he plays the drums and loves to sing. He also enjoys playing games online and ranks basketball as his favorite sport. While he doesn’t have a top choice flavor of fudge, he loves Cinnamon Glazed Cashews. Markevin’s words of wisdom: “When you lose the game, practice the next day. So the next day you play, you lose again. The more you lose the more you learn to never give up.”

Markevin Kempis

Warehouse Inventory Lead

Learn More About Calico

Mark Wurzel sitting on top of Calico Cottage sign
Discover the past, present and future of Calico and learn how they became the longest-lasting fudge program supplier in the world.
History of calico team
Calico’s roots maybe in confections but its the people and family that keeps Calico going.