Mark Thurston is vice president, strategy and worldwide business development with Innophos. He originally joined Rhodia in 1985, working in fine organics where he had been vice president of strategy and worldwide business development since 2009. Previously, he was vice president of specialty chemicals from 2004 to 2008 and vice president and general manager of food ingredients North America from 2002 to 2004. Prior to that, he worked in various sales and marketing capacities for Rhodia. Thurston was also affiliated with RTZ Corp. as an assistant planning and marketing manager and an assistant production manager. He earned a B.S. in chemical engineering from the University of Aston in Birmingham, England.  
 
Health E-Insights: If there were a fountain of youth, would VersaCAL be in it?
 
Mr. Thurston: If there were a fountain of eternal youth, we would probably not need a product like VersaCAL. However, today we can all benefit from an elixir of life that is fortified with calcium, phosphorus and even magnesium to ensure strong and healthy bones.
 
Health E-Insights: What is your company’s competitive advantage?
 
Mr. Thurston: We are a specialty phosphate company with an established history in the food and dietary nutrition markets. Most of our commercial and business development teams have experienced how our products combine with other food ingredients to provide solutions to customer challenges. This working knowledge of our customers’ applications enables us to continue to develop new product offerings ahead of the direct competition.
 
Health E-Insights: As a global company, how is the company responding to worldwide industry changes?
 
Mr. Thurston: In 2004, our primary focus was on the North American market. Since then, we have continued to grow in Latin America, Asia and Europe. These markets are key to our growth strategy.
 
Health E-Insights: What are you doing to ensure you continue to grow and develop as a leader?
 
Mr. Thurston: My role as head of strategy and business development puts me in contact with many leading industry professionals, providing opportunities in different market segments and geographies. I always enjoy watching and learning from others.
 
Health E-Insights: Have you had to overcome major obstacles in your present job?
 
Mr. Thurston: Being both optimistic and tenacious helps me overcome most obstacles, eventually—occasionally, not always, as quickly as I would like.  
 
Health E-Insights: What is your worst business travel experience?

Mr. Thurston: The way the travel industry is headed, my worst experience may still be ahead of me. Seriously, I have been relatively lucky. I did get trapped in Nigeria once for a few days during a military coup. It was over almost as soon as it started and airports reopened two days later.
 
Health E-Insights: What is your greatest business travel luxury?
 
Mr. Thurston: My greatest business travel luxury is visiting anywhere I can schedule in a round of golf.
 
Health E-Insights: I’ve heard you’re quite the wine connoisseur? What’s your preference?
 
Mr. Thurston: My favorite is the French Rhone region wines for reds. I prefer Cote Rotie and Hermitage 2007. For whites, you can’t beat Condrieu – E Guigal.
 
For more information and interview consideration, contact Sheldon Baker at [email protected] or visit his website at www.BakerDillon.com. And check out his blog at www.NutraInk.com.