Dan Souza is a cranberry ingredient expert and the senior director of sales and marketing for Decas Botanical Synergies, LLC (DBS). Mr. Souza has applied his entrepreneurial spirit and sales and marketing expertise to a wide range of industries throughout his 15-year professional career. His primary area of focus at DBS has been development and oversight of a global direct and indirect sales and marketing organization. Thriving in the dynamic environment at DBS, Mr. Souza’s responsibilities have also included management and day-to-day operations of finished goods and raw materials production, management of the Decas corporate customers service and sales organization and strategic long range planning and product development.
 
Health E-Insights: How do you encourage creative thinking in your company?
 
Mr. Souza: The challenges of the day force my team and I to always think both critically and creatively. Creative thinking is a must for us. It is part of the nature of our business and is continuously fostered by the fast paced, cutting edge environment we find ourselves working in, day in and day out. It is not something that I need to encourage. It is in the DNA of my team. We find a way; it’s what we do.
 
Health E-Insights:  How do you ensure your organization and its activities are aligned with your core values?
 
Mr. Souza: I am lucky enough to work with a tight group of people who work hard to achieve common goals. We believe that we reap what we sow. So around here, happy customers do grow on trees, but the little known secret is that the hard work must come to the table well before the fruit does.
 
Health E-Insights: Do you feel brand marketing is important in the supplement industry?
 
Mr. Souza: I do. I’m on the ingredient side. It is my belief that the real value isn’t in the brand name, rather it is in the science behind the brand name. Successful science drives successful brands. We’ll continue to strengthen our brand and the brands of our global partners with the industry’s best science and substantiation.
 
Health E-Insights: If you could get next to anyone famous on a plane, who would it be and why?
 
Mr. Souza: My son in 20ish years time, when he is heading back home to see his mother after his first trip to the moon. As it is now, I can’t wait to see him every day after work, but after an adventure like that I’d want to hear all about it right away!
 
Health E-Insights: Do you prefer a window or aisle seat?
 
Mr. Souza: Window, no question. I want to fly!
 
Health E-Insights: What was the best day of your life?
 
Mr. Souza: Easy. Twenty-four hours in 2010 starting August 16, at 2 a.m. and ending August 17, at 2 a.m. The highlights—I have never seen my wife look so beautiful and I met my new best friend, my son Luke.
 
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