SPEAKERS
Jay Gilbert, PhD
Director, CoDeveloper & Digital Products
Institute of Food Technologists
Jay Gilbert, PhD, is director of CoDeveloper & digital products at the Institute of Food Technologists (IFT), where he leads the strategy, development, and execution of the organization’s digital product portfolio. He recently led the launch of CoDeveloper – Powered by IFT, an AI-enabled R&D platform designed to accelerate food and beverage innovation through science. Before joining IFT as a scientist on staff, he was an active member, serving in leadership roles at both the local and national levels. His career has focused on the intersection of science, technology, and application, working with volunteers and stakeholders across the food system to advance the science of food and its application.
Jeffrey Varcoe, PhD
SVP, Science and Technical Excellence
The JM Smucker Co.
Jeffrey Varcoe, PhD, is SVP, Science and Technical Excellence at The JM Smucker Company. In this role, he ensures operational excellence across all technical disciplines that underpin product quality, compliance, and innovation. Jeff has served as vice president of quality assurance and food safety since 2023 and brings more than 25 years of leadership experience in the food industry across the areas of quality assurance, research and development, and operations. Prior to joining JM Smucker, Jeff spent 21 years at The Schwan Food Company, where he held a variety of technical leadership roles of increasing importance.
Traci Curran
Director of Product Marketing
Datacor
Traci Curran is director of product marketing at Datacor, where she leads efforts to advance the company's product portfolio and solve critical operational challenges for process manufacturers, including food, beverage, and ingredient producers navigating increasingly complex regulatory and traceability demands. With more than 20 years of experience in technology and product marketing, Traci has built and executed strategies to drive growth, deepen customer engagement, and help manufacturers accelerate innovation and strengthen their competitive edge through digital transformation.
SPEAKERS
Jay Gilbert, PhD
Director, CoDeveloper & Digital Products
Institute of Food Technologists
Jay Gilbert, PhD, is director of CoDeveloper & digital products at the Institute of Food Technologists (IFT), where he leads the strategy, development, and execution of the organization’s digital product portfolio. He recently led the launch of CoDeveloper – Powered by IFT, an AI-enabled R&D platform designed to accelerate food and beverage innovation through science. Before joining IFT as a scientist on staff, he was an active member, serving in leadership roles at both the local and national levels. His career has focused on the intersection of science, technology, and application, working with volunteers and stakeholders across the food system to advance the science of food and its application.
Jeffrey Varcoe, PhD
SVP, Science and Technical Excellence
The JM Smucker Co.
Jeffrey Varcoe, PhD, is SVP, Science and Technical Excellence at The JM Smucker Company. In this role, he ensures operational excellence across all technical disciplines that underpin product quality, compliance, and innovation. Jeff has served as vice president of quality assurance and food safety since 2023 and brings more than 25 years of leadership experience in the food industry across the areas of quality assurance, research and development, and operations. Prior to joining JM Smucker, Jeff spent 21 years at The Schwan Food Company, where he held a variety of technical leadership roles of increasing importance.
Traci Curran
Director of Product Marketing
Datacor
Traci Curran is director of product marketing at Datacor, where she leads efforts to advance the company's product portfolio and solve critical operational challenges for process manufacturers, including food, beverage, and ingredient producers navigating increasingly complex regulatory and traceability demands. With more than 20 years of experience in technology and product marketing, Traci has built and executed strategies to drive growth, deepen customer engagement, and help manufacturers accelerate innovation and strengthen their competitive edge through digital transformation.
