News

UFood Grill creates health and nutrition advisory panel

February 22, 2011

UFood Restaurant Group Inc. has formed a Health & Nutrition Advisory Panel, comprised of current and retired military members, to advise the company as it continues to explore development opportunities on military bases. The company plans to expand the panel in line with its growth in other trade channels.

"As a veteran myself, I remember well the physical demands of being in the military," said UFood CEO George Naddaff. "We are working on bringing UFood's health-focused food to military bases, which would provide our troops with delicious, fresh, fast and nutritious meals that would support their rigorous training. We look forward to partnering with our esteemed panel members to gain insight into the needs of this special population as we continue to explore development in this new channel."

Among other activities, the volunteer panel will convene bi-annually to review menu development and discuss trends in health, nutrition and diet, in particular, the dietary needs of the military. Members of UFood's Health & Nutrition Advisory Panel include:

Lori Tubbs, MS, RD, CSSD: A Department of Defense employee, Tubbs is a nutritionist who works as part of a training team for Naval Special Warfare in Virginia. For the past 12 years, she has developed nutrition programs for Navy SEALS based on sports dietetics.

John Howell, Chairman, Willowdale Financial Partners LLC: Howell currently serves as chairman of Willowdale Financial Partners, a national commercial financial enterprise based in Burke, Va. Howell's public career includes service as a combat arms officer in the U.S. Army and as a field officer of the CIA.

Raymund C. King, MD, JD, FICS: Based in Plano, Texas, King began his career as a Head and Neck Surgeon. Since becoming an attorney, he leverages his extensive network of contacts and legal expertise to form companies, capitalize companies, and buy or sell companies.

Major General Paul W. "Bill" Essex (Ret.): At retirement, Maj. Gen. Paul W. "Bill" Essex was Commander and CEO, Army and Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES), in Dallas. Essex entered the Air Force in 1973 as a distinguished graduate of Miami University's ROTC program. He served as installation commander at Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and Fairchild Air Force Base, Wash., where his units won Department of Defense-level awards for environmental programs and overall installation excellence.

Hon. William A. Chatfield: Chatfield has a long and distinguished career in service, beginning with his 35 years of active and reserve duty with the United States Marine Corps. He was nominated by President George W. Bush to be Director of Selective Service in 2004, a position he was confirmed to by the Senate. From 1989 to 2004, he was a partner in the lobbying firm Kindness & Chatfield Associates.

Col. William J. Blalock (Ret.): A native of Decatur, Ill., Blalock graduated from the University of Illinois in 1978 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Civil Engineering. Upon graduation, he attended OCS and was commissioned a 2^nd Lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps in April 1979. Blalock went on to experience a successful 25 year career in the military. His personal decorations include the Bronze Star, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Navy-Marine Corps Commendation Medal and the Navy-Marine Corps Achievement Medal.

Rear Admiral Mark R. Milliken (Ret.): Rear Adm. Milliken graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in June of 1975. In October 1976, during his advanced flight training in Airborne Tactical Data Systems for the E-2C Hawkeye, he was designated a Naval Flight Officer. His career included numerous international assignments and his decorations include Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit (2 awards), Defense Meritorious Service Medal (2 awards) and various campaign and unit awards.