Steve Allen retired from Nestlé in December 2009 after a 30-year global career in sales, marketing and general management in the nutrition business. He is currently Vice-Chairman of 6 Pacific Partners, a Los Angeles-based advisory and investment firm helping small and large food, beverage and nutrition companies raise and deploy growth capital. Steve also co-founded and is chairman of the screening committee of Nutrition Capital Network, a business that brings together entrepreneurs and investors in the nutrition and food industries. The major global food and beverage companies including Coca-Cola, Unilever, General Mills, Pepsi-Co, Campbell’s, Amway, Hershey’s and Nestlé are cornerstone investors in Nutrition Capital. Seven years ago, he joined Mergers & Acquisitions group when the company launched a series of venture capital funds and where Nestlé has more than $1 billion of committed capital in funds and direct investments. Steve is a member of the Board of the North American Foundation for the University of Leeds where he obtained a B.Sc. with Honors. After working briefly in the food industry he received an M.Sc. at the University of London, School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine. His background also includes participation in public health in Africa and the Middle East, focusing on the elimination of childhood malnutrition, and has led to his current role on the advisory board of Vitamin Angels.
 
Health E-Insights: If you could get one hour of business advice from a known expert you respect, who would it be and what would you discuss?
 
Mr. Allen: I would have liked to meet Walt Disney. The company that bears his name is an intriguing blend of creativity and marketing expertise and I guess a lot of this traces back to the genius of the founder.
 
Health E-Insights: You’ve been known to help a lot of people in the industry, has there been an influential person(s) in your career?
 
Mr. Allen: On the science side, I was always impressed by Vernon Young (MIT Professor of Nutritional Biochemistry, who revolutionized scientific understanding of how the human body processes nutrients into protein) who unfortunately passed away (in 2004) when he still had a great deal to contribute to our understanding of human nutrition. One of my early bosses at Nestle, Cam Pagano was an inspiring leader who had great strategic sense and an incredible appetite for hard work. 
 
Health E-Insights: What do you think is the future of dietary supplements?
 
Mr. Allen: On the whole it is a bright future because more and more people are nutritionally aware. However, I am always disappointed by the way the industry continues to shoot itself in the foot by allowing a few “cowboys” to get away with marketing shoddy products often touted with ludicrous claims.
 
Health E-Insights: Is there a golden rule by which you live?
 
Mr. Allen: Not to take oneself too seriously and to have lots of fun along the way. 
 
Health E-Insights: If it existed, would you drink from the fountain of youth?
 
Mr. Allen: No. I’ve been very fortunate in life and am happy to pass the baton to a new generation including my own children.
 
Health E-Insights: What kind of car do you drive and how often do you wash it or take it to a car wash?
 
Mr. Allen: A six year-old Acura RL. It is comfortable, quiet and sedate. But my greatest pleasure comes from leaving it in the garage and walking wherever I can or taking public transportation, which I manage to do quite a lot. I haven’t washed a car in years but have it washed a couple of times a month. 
 
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.