Bill ChioffiThank you very much for your efforts out in the field with Gaia. I feel lucky to have Topline repping the line up here in New England and you make my job easier.
Gaia Herbs
Our Team
Karen Farrell President & CEO
Maine and Key Accounts
Prompted by health concerns in her family, Karen began studying Natural Foods and Natural Medicines at the age of 13. Karen studied Traditional Herbalism with Gladys Hadju, an Herbalist from Switzerland in 1994 and has spent 6 years studying Traditional Midwifery and Women’s Health, both academically and in practice. Karen worked the full spectrum of the Natural Products Industry, from an independent health food store, working member in a co-op, to buyer for Whole Foods Market Boston, MA. Karen has been a manufacturer’s representative for 7 years and finds that expanding the Natural Product Industry is her passion.
P.O. Box 2519South Portland, ME 04116
Cell: 603.493.1110
Fax: 207.221.1252
Leah Gootkind General Manager
Leah's desire to educate and address health concerns from a holistic perspective started as far back as she can remember. Her parents opened her world to Macrobiotics and Natural Foods as she grew up with a family focused on food and cooking. She pursued her interests by completing a four-year Dietetics degree at the University of Rhode Island along with a Holistic Health Counseling Certification from the Institute of Integrative Nutrition in NYC. Leah has worked in the Industry since 1996. Her background includes Buyer and Assistant Whole Body Team Leader for Whole Foods Market in Providence, RI along with several years managing and buying for a Holistic Health and Education Center in Wakefield, RI. Leah has covered Eastern MA, RI, NYC Metro, Long Island and NJ before moving into the General Manager position in July 2007.
P.O. Box 2519South Portland, ME 04116
Cell: 401.345.2995
Fax: 207.221.1252
Gwen M. Schroeder Field Support Manager
Gwen is the glue that keep us all together. Gwen comes to Topline from many years in the banking Industry.
P.O. Box 2519South Portland, ME 04116
1.866.9TOPLINE
Fax: 207.221.1252
Sales Representatives
Jeff Minehart Sales Representative
Vermont, New Hampshire, Western MA
Jeff has over 8 years experience in the Natural Products Industry, expanding sales and marketing at the retail level, including marketing and manufacturing for the largest maple syrup producers in the country, East Coast Sales Manager for AllGoode Organics, a manufacturer of Organic and Whole Food products, and being an instrumental player in the lauching of an up-and-coming Natural Body Care company. Jeff loves the fact that everyday he brings the message and products to consumers who believe, as much as he does, in a healthy, organic lifestyle.
1620 Route 109Belvidere, VT 05442
cell: 802.318.8155
office/fax: 207.221.1252
Peter Richard Sales Representative
Upstate NY
Peter comes to Topline Marketing from Lori's Natural Foods in Rochester, NY where he worked as the body care buyer and nutrition staff member. Peter has recived his degree in Homeopathic Medicine at a highly acclaimed Homeopathic School in Toronto, Canada.
2254 Alvord Hill RdGreenwood, NY 14839
cell: 585.507.6156
office/fax: 207.221.1252
Sharada Kagel Sales Representative
CT, Area Code 845 & part of 914 NY
Sharada Kagel has spent her life immersed in the world of natural lifestyle on many levels. At the age of 13 she began her journey into the world of natural foods after tagging along with her brother to the first natural food shop, which was a room and back porch of two little old ladies home, in her hometown. Sharada's strengths are in sales and marketing. For the past nine years she owned and operated a company, Zen & Bhakti, dedicated to the Yoga, Home and Spa industries. She succeeded in bringing her organic and natural products to the highest level marketplaces, yoga centers, and catalogs as well as being featured on the sets of “The Apprentice” for an entire season.
103 Greenbush RdOrangeburg, NY 10962
cell: 845.270.3399
207.221.1252
Carol RennaSales representative
Boston Area Whole Foods
Carol’s first job was helping raise the family’s strawberry crop and selling the produce roadside in her rural hometown in northern Massachusetts. Born and raised in a farming community, she learned at a very young age the importance of natural farming. As a result, she developed a profound love and respect for all things natural. Working on the family farm, raising fruits and vegetables to put on the table, as well as sharing with the community, Carol has come to know and live the farmer’s ethic of endless hard work, high integrity and moral values that come with farming. She comes to us with 20 years experience as an executive of a non-profit organization which helped her define her purpose in helping others achieve happiness by raising the standard of living. She believes that not only educating the public and getting great natural products to them, but by supporting companies that promote fair trade and practice environmentally sound production will forward her purpose of improving lives and the planet.
74 Florence StSomerville, MA 02145
cell: 617.372.4493
office/fax: 207.221.1252
Karin WulffSales Representative
NYC Metro
Karin first became interested in health and natural living at the age of 14 when she decided to become a vegetarian. As a natural progression, she decided to work in a small health food store while completing her undergraduate degree. She stayed with the store for five years, acquiring in-depth knowledge of the Industry ranging from supplements to cosmetics and grocery. She then began her four year career with Whole Foods Market. She started as a buyer and within eight months moved up to Whole Body Assistant Team Leader both in Madison, NJ store and then opening the Union Square store in NYC.
887 Kennedy BlvdBayonne, NJ 07002
cell: 201.725.6428
office/fax: 207.221.1252
Mary DabbeneSales Representative
Long Island & Northern NJ
Many years ago when she was a young mother, Mary became interested in good health and nutrition. In the beginning, Mary started cooking good nutritious meals and incorporated vitamins, minerals and herbs into her family’s daily diet. As her children grew - her interest in health and nutrition grew. Mary read many books and did much research, and then realized that a change in career was critical. So in 1995, She left her office position and became a nutritional counselor in the retail health food and vitamin industry. While in this position, Mary had the opportunity to work with very knowledgeable and experienced health professionals. Several years later, Mary went on to become an educator and representative for a number of very reputable manufacturers of natural health products. Mary has a sincere desire and commitment to help and direct people into having a healthy and happy lifestyle.
19 Harbor CourtCopiague Harbor, NY 11726
cell: 631.649.6069
fax: 207.221.1252