After two decades of leadership in food product development at CuliNEX, the CEO and Founder of CuliNEX, Mark Crowell, is stepping down and heading into retirement. At the end of 2025, the company’s 20th year, Crowell transfers the reins to longtime CuliNEX executive, Brittany Kovacevic.
Crowell's Clean Label Vision
Crowell’s vision for innovative Clean Label food product development has guided the company since its founding. The company has helped hundreds of companies bring new products to market over the last 20 years. Among the many clients Crowell has supported include organizations large and small:
- CPG (Consumer Packaged Goods) Companies: major brands that produce packaged food products for retail
- Plant-Based and Natural Food Brands: Companies focused on plant-based, organic, or natural food products
- Ingredient Suppliers and Boards & Commissions: Organizations that promote food categories or supply ingredients to food manufacturers and brands
- Specialty Food Companies: Entrepreneurial and niche brands producing unique or artisanal food products
- Food Manufacturers: Companies involved in the large-scale food production for brands
As CuliNEX prepares for this transition, we took a moment to speak with Crowell about the future. When asked what’s on the horizon, Crowell replied with reflection and humor. “What's next? Something I'm totally unprepared for, which is retirement,” he said. Then he added some specifics. “Some travel, some leisure, certainly more than I've had,” he said. But visions of a lawn chair at the beach quickly faded into more productive plans. He added that he is looking forward to continuing his volunteer work with the Research Chef’s Association, mentoring young Culinologists and raising scholarship funds.
Crowell's Service to Community
Crowell has always found value in non-profit board service. He spent 11 years on the Culinary Institute of America’s Alumni board, 7 years on the board of the Research Chefs Association and was recently elected Vice President of the RCA’s scholarship foundation. “I’ll be focused on trying to contribute and open doors for talented students who are perhaps not financially able to get their educations without some financial help,” said Crowell.
Crowell believes a good education provides a strong foundation and a clear path for potential success. “I've been very fortunate in my own life to be able to go to the best culinary school in the world at the Culinary Institute of America. I was able to go to one of the best hotel restaurant programs in the country at Florida International University in Miami for my undergrad. Later in my career I was able to get my master's degree in business from Columbia University in New York. So, education has played a central role in my own career. I know it can open so many doors for others,” said Crowell.
New Impact at Crowell's Own Pace
To the Founder of CuliNEX, retirement doesn't mean he’ll stop contributing. “I really do believe that life after the ‘work’ and the ‘making money’ stages can be the most rewarding part of all,” said Crowell. “I can’t wait to see how I can have a positive impact, just at a more leisurely pace!”
