J. Patrick O'Keefe

In this newly created role, Mr. O'Keefe will oversee the Company's nascent plant-based ingredient platform and the Company's previously stated efforts to continue to build out a broader agri-products services platform.

Mr. O'Keefe brings nearly 30 years of diverse, multilevel experience in the food ingredients industry. Prior to joining Universal, Mr. O'Keefe served as Chief Operating Officer for Allen Flavors, an innovative flavor manufacturer to the food and beverage industry. Previously, from 2015 to 2018, Mr. O'Keefe served as Chief Executive Officer of the Americas for Döhler Group, a global producer, marketer and provider of technology-based natural ingredients, ingredient systems and integrated solutions for the food and beverage industry. From 2007 to 2015, he served as President of Finlay Tea Solutions US, Inc. and then Chief Executive Officer of Finlays Extracts & Ingredients, both subsidiaries of James Finlay International, a global supplier of tea, coffee and botanical extracts. Earlier in his career, Mr. O'Keefe held roles of increasing responsibility at Sensient Flavors, Inc., Givaudan Flavors and International Flavors & Fragrances.