Academy of Food Marketing Hall of Honor

The Food Marketing Hall of Honor recognizes extraordinary alumni for their demonstrated achievements and contributions to the food industry and their continued commitment to the food marketing program at Saint Joseph's University.

Image

Erica Drost Kahr ’01 B.S. ’18 MBA is the Director of Sales at Nestle Purina Petcare Company (NPP), responsible for the C&S Wholesale and Ahold Delhaize Teams. 

Erica began her career in May of 2000 as an intern with the Ralston Purina Company, an opportunity afforded to her through the Saint Joseph's Food Marketing Program. Erica is now approaching her 25-year milestone with Nestle Purina during which time she has held several account management positions in the grocery, drug, and value discount channels. She has advanced through various leadership roles overseeing sales teams throughout the country. Other notable roles in her career included Director of Finance for the Atlantic Region Sales team and Sales Director for the Central Region's wholesale, military, and club businesses. In addition to her success and influence in these roles, Erica has always been actively involved in NPP's organizational initiatives and formerly served as President of Nestle Purina's Women's Leadership Forum (WLF). She holds a board seat on the Northeast Wholesale Food Distributors Association (NEWFDA), representing NPP. Erica also volunteers on the Board of Next Up Pennsylvania as the Executive Advisor. 

Erica remains committed to the success of the Food Marketing Department and is a current member of the Board of Directors. She is working on the Student Development committee where she mentors students and works to provide them with hands-on experience and exposure within the industry that allows them to explore different career paths. Erica currently resides in Northampton, PA, with her two children, Hailey and Ryan. She is active in her community as a member of the Allentown Central Catholic High School Booster club and a board member of Good Shepherd Catholic School CYO. Erica's family enjoys live music, traveling, and skiing.

Image

Paul Brauer '15 MBA is the President and Chief Operating Officer for Brown’s Super Stores, Inc., a growing sixteen-store supermarket chain trading under the ShopRite, Fresh Grocer, and DiBruno Bros. banners and part of the Wakefern Food Corporation. As one of the leading supermarkets in the Delaware Valley, the company employs 2,550 associates, who are committed to making a difference for their customers and the local communities we serve.

Brown’s Super Stores has done extensive work solving the food desert crisis in the City of Philadelphia and has been viewed as a model to solve the problem across the country. Paul has been actively involved in assisting other markets in Detroit MI, Richmond VA, Camden NJ, Chicago IL, and several others, to generate creative solutions to food insecurity.

Beyond the commitment to customer service, Brown’s is proud to support its community by assisting those in need.  In the 16 communities where the stores are located, Brown’s actively collaborates with community groups to fight hunger and homelessness, curtail recidivism, prevent violence, and help youth have a brighter future by preparing them for viable careers.

Paul created Brown's Business Incubator program that works with minority-owned small businesses and start-ups to assist them with basic business requirements to become prepared to get their products or services ready for the corporate world.  Several of the businesses that have participated in Brown’s Business Incubator currently have their products on Brown’s store shelves.

Paul serves as an Adjunct Professor in the Food Marketing Department of St. Joseph's University in Philadelphia, teaching classes in Integrated Marketing Communications and assisting students in their preparation for graduation and employment in the food industry.  During his seven semesters as an Adjunct Professor, he initiated an internship program that has resulted in permanent positions for numerous students at Brown’s Super Stores.

Paul has been involved with St. Joseph’s University for several years, not only as an Adjunct Professor but also judging the Business Policy Finals, the Capstone class for undergraduates. He also guest lectured at Virginia Commonwealth University.

Paul is an executive member of the Board of Directors of the Urban Affairs Coalition (UAC), which serves as the 501 C-3 and backbone for over 80 smaller non-profits in the area. He is Vice-President of the Board of the Park West Business Association, a great collaboration in West Philadelphia between business, community, and the government. He has served as an advisory board member to the Philabundance Food Bank; serves on a panel collaboration with the Frazier Family Coalition to fight nutrition problems in North Philadelphia; and is a Board member for PFMA the Pennsylvania Food Merchants Association that brings the food industry together with the government to review legislation that affects the industry in the State of Pennsylvania.

Paul graduated from Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania with a degree in Human Resources and Organizational Behavior and received his Master of Business Administration from St. Joseph’s University. He resides in Somers Point, NJ, with his wife Lori and two children: Abigail is a Pharmaceutical Chemist at Eurofins Inc., in Lancaster, PA, and Ryan is an Area Sales Manager in the Mid-Atlantic region.

Image

Catie McCrossan ’13 B.S. joined Kraft Heinz in 2021 as an Associate Director- UNFI East, US Sales, where she led a team of experienced sales professionals, drove cross functional relationships, and fostered a culture of collaboration and teamwork.  She consistently delivered 3-5% growth during her 3 years leading UNFI-East, including securing Vendor of the Year across multiple customers like Key Food. 

Most recently, Catie accepted a role leading the Sales Team on Kraft Heinz Ingredients. In her role at KHI, Catie will be responsible for building the commercial sales agenda, delivering a robust pipeline, and driving a high-performing team. Catie is currently building the structure of the sales team- actively filling open roles and reinforcing an ownership mindset.  Catie’s passion for people, leadership capabilities, and general manager mindset will ensure her success at KHI.

Catie’s passion for people is highlighted through continued improvement in engagement scores and her commitment to the business.  Catie is also a member of the 2024 Kraft Heinz WE Network.  Prior to joining Kraft Heinz, Catie spent 8 years at Nestle in various roles across sales, category leadership, and strategy.  Catie is a proud alum of Saint Joseph’s University in Philadelphia, PA.

Outside of work, Catie enjoys spending quality time with loved ones, staying active through working out and walking or a round of golf, reading to unwind from the day, and appreciates a great meal with good conversation. Catie recently moved back to her hometown of Sparta, NJ, with her fiancé Brian.

Please join us for the Food Marketing 2025 Hall of Honor Celebration on Wednesday, February 11, 2025 at 5:30 p.m. 

Tickets are $55 per person, which includes ceremony, networking reception, cocktails and hors d'oeuvres. 

This event is being held on the Saint Joseph's University campus at the Cardinal John P. Foley Campus Center (5600 City Avenue, Philadelphia, PA). 

For those who are unable to attend, please consider making a donation to the food marketing program in the name of one of the honorees.

Register Now