Vince has a broad background in automated processes. He has been intimately involved in design and research projects (32 patents) as well as being a leader and manager.

Background

Vincent started his career at Green Giant Company, designing food processing equipment. At Doerfer, he was Director of food and pharmaceutical technology. He left to become V.P. of Engineering and later President and CEO of Jimmy Dean Companies, and established plants in Texas, Iowa and Mississippi. Vince was recruited by the Bigwood family, moved to London, and became Director of Hygrade Ltd. Upon his return, he was President and CEO of Aquasport in Miami, Florida; President and CEO of Carolina Skiff in Jacksonville, North Carolina; Sr. Vice President of The Unimark Group in the USA, Mexico and Canada; and Interim Chief Operating Officer of Simply Fresh Fruit in South Bay, Florida and Los Angeles, California.

Since joining us in 2007, Bernard has worked on projects like the AgRobotics™ Soil Sampler.

Over his career, Bernard has worked on a number of projects and technical investigations. The following list illustrates the wide variety of projects that Vincent has worked on:

• Food Processsing
   - Controlled atmosphere packaging for new sweet corn product – Up to 12 ears in low      oxygen atmosphere for extended freshness.
   - High speed slicing system for fresh produce like pineapple and papaya. The new machine      produces thin sliced segments for special uses.
   - Development of special extrusion machinery for food products. The machine makes special      shaped cereal, potato and corn chips, cookies, etc. to appeal to target markets.
   - High Speed carton former – French Fry cups - for major fast food outlet.
   - Automated systems for mushroom production. Developed processes and special machines      to mechanize processes from growing to harvesting to packaging.
   - Sweet corn ear orientation for feeding automated cutters.
   - Toaster sandwich line development. Developed sandwich products and packaging for      direct usage in consumer toasters.
   - Boil in the bag development – Set up equipment and production line.
   - Portion control product machinery. Developed (and patented) equipment and processes for      forming, shaping and cut off of specially shaped process foods.
   - High pressure water jet cutting of food products. High speed processes to automatically      trim fat from meat, slice baked goods, etc.
   - Conducted study to modify special horizontal retorts for production of meat products,      Vienna sausage, etc.
   - Design and build automated line to assemble and package sausage and biscuits at a rate      of 400/min.
   - Design of automated melon ball cutter that improves both yield and productivity.
   - High speed system for processing pineapple, papaya, melon, cereal potato, corn chips,      cookies, meat, sausage, biscuits, etc.

• Food Processing- Peeling fruits and vegetables
   - Chemical systems used for traditional processes
   - Non-chemical-steam, cold water and vacuum process

• Food- Product Development
   - Fruit based new product development – citrus fruit cells and non-animal gelatin for unique      beverage product.
   - Candy manufacturing systems. Development of special machines and processes to      manufacture new style candy bars, and related shapes.
   - Cereal based snack food systems development – design production processes and      machines to make special shapes, textures, colors, etc.
  
• Cryogenics- Food Processing
   - Liquid nitrogen system for processing fresh pineapple and papaya.
   - Development of patented carcass chilling system utilizing cryogenics to inhibit dehydration      during chilling.

• Cryogenics- Manufacturing Processes
   - Automated assembly systems for assembly of interference fit components utilizing      cryogenics and heat.
   - Design and build of systems to de-burr rubber and plastic parts.

• Cryogenics and Freezer Systems
   - Managed construction of 40 million pound feezer in Mexico.
   - Managed construction of systems to produce dry ice

• Automation of Fabrication, Assembly and Packaging processes
   - High Speed visual sorting system for deposit containers at 800 per minute. System sorts      and totals deposits by state for reimbursements.
   - Automated systems for mushroom production. Developed processes and special machines      to mechanize processes from growing to harvesting to packaging.
   - Design high speed armature winders- for small process motors.
   - System for automatic assembly of oil filters.
   - Design and install special packaging systems for food products.
   - High speed carton former for major fast food outlet.

• Manufacturing Processes
   - Development of special processing and packaging systems in the United Kingdom (U.K.)
   - Development of temperature controlled metal molds for Reinforced Fiberglass (RFG)      manufacturing. This improved quality and allowed production increases of 300 to 400      percent.
   - Design of patented grinding system with variable feed and cutter speed.
   - Study to automate an appliance manufacturing line for manufacturer of washers and      dryers.
   - Composite tool development for manufacture of aircraft components.

• Design of Special Systems and Tools
   - Fabrication system for assembly and sealing of large plastic film parts for high altitute      balloons.
   - Vacuum deposition system for applying metal substrates to plastics and film.
   - Defrothing equipment for a municipal waste treatment facility.

• Medical Equipment Design, Manufacturing and Packaging
   - Develop special surgical appliances and tools (for international medical clinic)
   - Medical device assembly and sterile packaging.
   - Catheter Assembly and packaging systems- medical hardware.
   - Medical devices- Assembly and packaging of various special tools and single use medical      hardware.

• Agricultural Machinery
   - Selective asparagus harvester for repetitive harvest cycles.
   - Conducted studies for steel manufacturer's Agricultural Marketing department to      demostrate opportunities for and advantages of replacing cast iron parts with steel parts.
   - Research, design and styling on industrial mower product.
   - Design team member for soil sampling and packaging machinery.

• Management Posititions
   - National Food Processing firm
     · Vice President of Engineering
     · President CEO
   - Major Marine manufacturer
     · Consultant
     · Start-up operation manufacturing
     · President
   - Chief Operating Officer, for East coast food processor
   - Senior Vice President, Global Technology for an international food organization
   - President, cryogenic system manufacturer
   - President of Major marine manufacturer
   - President of special systems firm
   - Consulting projects
     · Manufacturing processes for conglomerate in United Kingdom
     · Integration study for national feed processor
     · Asset utilization studies for several companies

Additional Information