Meet the Team
Our leadership team, led by founder, chairman, and CEO, Mark LeDoux, are responsible for guiding not only NAI’s success but driving the nutritional health industry forward.
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Mark A. LeDoux
CEO and Chairman of the Board of Directors
Mr. LeDoux founded Natural Alternatives International (NAI) in 1980. With over 45 years of experience since joining the nutritional supplements industry in 1975, Mr. LeDoux is considered a highly regarded leader and spokesperson for our industry – making him one of the longest-serving, active executives in the nutritional supplements industry. As Chairman of the Board of Directors of the prestigious Natural Products Association (NPA) based in Washington DC, where he has been a member since 1980, Mr. LeDoux represents NAI’s ongoing commitment to industry and government affairs, adherence to a strong code of ethics, and continuing support in the legislative, regulatory and public affairs arenas.
Mr. LeDoux was former Chairman and Board member of the esteemed Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN), and Founding Chairman of CRN International. LeDoux also serves on the Nutrition Industry Association-west (NIA) Board and is a recognized participant of the Codex Alimentarius Commission, the United Nations’ food and dietary supplement standard-setting body under the joint supervision of its Food and Agriculture Organization and World Health Organization. In addition, LeDoux currently serves as Chairman of the Board of Selectmen in his hometown of Hollis, New Hampshire. He is President of the Marie A. LeDoux Charitable Foundation and a current member of the Young Presidents Organization Graduates. A graduate of the Thomas Jefferson School of Law, Mr. LeDoux received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Oklahoma, where he graduated with honors. He is also a graduate of Stanford University’s Program for Small Business Executives.
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Kenneth E. Wolf
President and Chief Operating Officer
Mr. Wolf joined NAI in February 2008 as Chief Financial Officer, was promoted to Chief Operating Officer in June 2010 and has served as NAI’s President since October 2015. Mr. Wolf is responsible for design and implementation of NAI’s long-term strategic plans and oversight of all areas within the company. He possesses over 26 years of senior financial management experience in both publicly traded and privately held companies, with the prior 21 years associated with consumer products manufacturing companies.
Mr. Wolf received his Certified Public Accountant license from the State of California and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration – Accounting from California State University in Fresno, California.
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Michael E. Fortin
Chief Financial Officer
Mr. Fortin joined NAI in April 2008 as Director of Accounting and SEC Reporting and earned his appointment to Chief Financial Officer in October 2015. With over 18 years of accounting and finance experience working in Big 4 public accounting and private industry, Mr. Fortin is a steadfast, strategic leader responsible for driving financial and business results.
Mr. Fortin received his Certified Public Accountant license from the State of California and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration-Accounting from San Diego State University, California.
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Andrea Lester
Vice President, Global Quality
Andrea Lester, Vice President of Global Quality, joined NAI’s Quality Unit in 2005. Ms. Lester is responsible for development, implementation, and enforcement of the firm’s Quality Management Systems to ensure compliance with Good Manufacturing Practices, regulatory requirements, and customer specifications across North American and European operations. Andrea oversees all aspects of Quality Assurance, Quality Control, Document Control, Validation, and Quality Systems.
Ms. Lester is a member of the American Society for Quality (ASQ) Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Division and the Orange County Regulatory Affairs Committee (OCRA). In addition, Andrea co-chairs the Dietary Supplement division of the Quality Leadership Network (QLN), a collaborative workgroup sponsored by the Los Angeles FDA District Office bringing FDA, Industry, and Academia together to enhance transparency and improve product quality and compliance, where she was among the recipients of the FDA Office of Regulatory Affairs’ Leveraging and Collaboration Honors Award. Ms. Lester is HACCP certified through an AFDO HACCP/SCP certified trainer, is a Preventive Controls Qualified Individual (PCQI) certified through the Food Safety Preventive Controls Alliance, and holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from Concord University, Athens, West Virginia.
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James Gause
Vice President, Operations
James Gause is the Global Operations Vice President with responsibility for North American and European operations. His current focus is on improving conversion efficiencies, driving competitive advantages by improving input sourcing value, landing capacity to support growth, and leveraging talent on both continents. Prior to joining NAI, Mr. Gause gained over 25 years of experience in the food and beverage industries.
Mr. Gause holds bachelor’s degrees in Industrial and Electrical Engineering from Texas A&M University.
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Dr. Nancy Steely
Vice President of Research & Development
Dr. Nancy Steely, Vice President of Research & Development joined NAI in September 2020. She brought a wealth of experience to NAI, and quickly became an integral member in executing on NAI’s overall research and development vision. She has influenced NAI’s technical strategy, driving its development by moving scientific-based concepts into pipeline products for customers. Dr. Steely possesses the ability to bridge science and research with business acumen, employing her experience in developing industry leading products, while developing and sustaining a culture of passion, hard-work, and innovation that will make NAI the place to be for anyone interested in developing next generation nutraceutical solutions.
Prior to NAI, Dr. Steely was a naturopathic physician and seasoned R&D, quality and regulatory executive. She has spent 20 years interacting with leading nationally and internationally renowned nutraceutical companies. Her vast background includes distinguished positions in Olly PBC, Arbonne International, Forever Living International, Usana Health Sciences, and Bio Concepts in Australia. Her current role at NAI involves collaborating with new and existing clients to develop and launch innovative, science-based and compliant products.
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Aaron Starr
Vice President of CarnoSyn® Brands
Aaron Starr was appointed Vice President of CarnoSyn® Brands in April 2022. Mr. Starr is responsible for the leadership of business teams and for overseeing operational performance and the advancement of CarnoSyn® Brands. Prior to the appointment, Mr. Starr directly managed customer relationships and operations, bolstering sales for NAI and CarnoSyn® Brands. As Vice President of CarnoSyn® Brands, Mr. Starr oversees overall operating performance and business objectives for the division. Responsibilities include management of P&L, short and long-term strategic planning, sales and marketing management and new product introductions. He leads internal teams including sales, marketing, customer service, operations and science, and drives performance through development and management of strategies to yield profitable performance and exceptional customer service.
Mr. Starr has a wealth of sales, marketing, and operations management experience, most recently as Senior Account Manager and Operations Manager at NAI and CarnoSyn® Brands. His pervious work experience also includes roles as an Executive Editor, a Marketing Director, and as a Managing Partner at a financial firm. Mr. Starr earned an MBA in Financial Management, and earned a Bachelor of Science degree, Exercise Physiology and Kinesiology.
