Barry Thomas Calpino

From 2009 until April of 2015,  Barry was Vice President of Breakthrough Innovation at Kraft Foods Group, the overall lead for Innovation at the new Kraft Food Group (spun-off in October 2012).  Barry was the leader of the company's turnaround of Innovation from "Worst to First".  

Via a new Innovation Playbook ("Fewer/Bigger/Better") the company's innovation rate more than doubled in the past 3 years (from 6.5% to 14%), with 6 new $100MM platforms (Oscar Mayer Selects, Mio, Velveeta Skillets, Gevalia,  Lunchables Uploaded, K-Cups) and 5 Nielsen Breakthrough Innovation Awards (Oscar Mayer Selects, Mio, Velveeta Skillets, Gevalia, Lunchables Uploaded), awarded to innovations representing less than 1% of all new products launched. Kraft's  innovation has also won the Edison Award (Mio) and Innovator of the Year from Walmart.

Barry has over 20 years of CPG experience,  most of it working on Innovation, New Products, at all phases of development. Prior to joining Kraft, Barry was in Marketing and Innovation leadership roles at several top CPG companies, including S.C. Johnson (where he led launch of Ziploc Containers),  Kellogg's (where he led launch of the Special K Protein line) and Wrigley's (where he led launch of Extra Dessert Delights). At Wrigley, Barry led Global Innovation and all Gum and Candy innovation for North America prior to coming to Kraft.  He has also served in Company New Ventures roles at SC Johnson, Kellogg's and Wrigley's.

Barry has an undergraduate degree in Marketing from Marquette and his MBA from Kellogg-Northwestern. He is originally from Chicago and resides there today, where he is married with 3 kids.

Education

MBA, 1991, Organizational Behavior and Marketing, Northwestern University, Kellogg School of Management

B.S., 1986, Business Administration, Marquette University, Magna Cum Laude

Other Professional Experience

Vice President, Breakthrough Innovation, Kraft Food Group, 2012-2015

Vice President, Breakthrough Innovation, Kraft Foods, 2009-2012

Senior Director, North America New Products, William Wrigley Jr. Company, 2006-2009

Managing Director, Global Breath and Freshening Platform, William Wrigley Jr. Company, 2006-2009

Director, Global New Ventures, William Wrigley Jr. Company, 2006-2009

Director. Health and Wellness, Kellogg's, 2004-2006

Director, Global New Ventures, Kellogg's, 2004-2006

Vice President, Newell-Rubbermaid, 2002-2004

Category Manager, Business Development, S.C. Johnson, 1994-2002

Category Manager, New Products, S.C. Johnson, 1994-2002

Senior Brand Manager, Edge Shave Gel, S.C. Johnson, 1994-2002

Brand Manager, Home Cleaning Products, S.C. Johnson, 1994-2002

Brand Manager and Assistant Brand Manager, Drano, S.C. Johnson, 1994-2002

Associate Brand Manager, Heinz U.S.A., 1993-1994

Manager of Consumer Advertising, Ameritech, 1986-1992