Functional Technologies names new chief business officer

Functional Technologies Corp appoints James D. Pratt, an accomplished food industry executive, to the position of chief business officer (CBO).

His responsibilities will include the cultivation of strategic partnerships and commercial relationships in new food sectors for the company's pipeline of technologies, increasing the scope and breadth of industry applications and markets for its products.

Possessing more than 24 years of executive experience in the food industry and capital markets, Pratt was most recently CEO of Sepp's Food Group, a multinational manufacturer and provider of frozen foods, including private label "health and well-being" frozen breakfast products.

Through his various executive roles at Sepp's, he was instrumental in restructuring and turning the company profitable from a loss position within 24 months, successfully completing several acquisitions and divestitures, managing strategic capital market initiatives before taking the company private, and implementing operational improvements.

Pratt also serves on the Board of Directors of professional associations in the food industry, including the BC Food Processors Association and the Food Processors of Canada.

He was also past Chairman of the Functional Foods Alberta Center of Excellence, and previously served on the Board of Directors of the BC Functional Foods & Nutraceutical Network.

Pratt received his Masters of Business Administration from the University of Western Ontario.