NORTH KINGSTOWN, R.I., April 15, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- GO Veggie!®, formerly Galaxy Nutritional Foods, and America's 30-year leading provider of cheese-free cheese for people who love cheese, has named Whitney Velasco-Aznar to its newly created role of Vice President of Marketing. A global marketer, Velasco-Aznar brings more than 20 years of experience ranging from blue-chip multinationals General Mills, Nestle, Mars and Hormel Foods to startup Beyond Meat.

"Whitney comes to us with a strong consumer packaged goods background and a proven track record of results. Her experiences range from building a brand and running a business to leading teams, developing people and creating innovation," said Rick Antonelli, Chief Executive Officer of GO Veggie! "She's an inspirational, approachable and collaborative leader with strong strategic and marketing skills, but most importantly she is a great cultural fit. We're excited to have such a wonderful talent on board!"

Most recently, Velasco-Aznar served as the Vice President of Marketing for Beyond Meat, a plant-based meat alternative company based in El Segundo, California. There, she helped expand retail distribution and launch new products like Beef-Free Crumbles from the refrigerated into the frozen case.

Previously she was Vice President of Marketing for Hormel Foods in Austin, Minnesota and spent more than 12 years in various global marketing roles at General Mills and Nestle SA.

In this newly created position, Velasco-Aznar will direct all marketing and communications and report into GO Veggie!'s CEO, Antonelli. "I am delighted to join the GO Veggie! team. The upside potential of the brand is immense. With strong distribution and superior products, the challenge is to build a brand, create consumer awareness and generate cost-efficient trial. It's a marketer's dream."

Velasco-Aznar earned a Master of Business Administration from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University and completed her undergrad at Indiana University, earning a Bachelor of Science. Born in Fort Wayne, Indiana, she has traveled to more than 80 countries across six continents.

About GO Veggie!®
Founded more than 30 years ago, Galaxy Nutritional Foods remains America's leading provider of great tasting cheese free products. Today, under Galaxy's new brand GO Veggie!, the company continues to innovate and offer consumers with food sensitivities or seeking healthier alternatives more cheese free choices. Across its product portfolio – Dairy Free, Vegan; Lactose Free; and Lactose Free, Rice – GO Veggie! offers more than 52 products including shreds, slices, blocks, grated topping and dairy free cream cheese in a range of flavors. GO Veggie! Lactose Free (green packaging) and GO Veggie! Dairy Free, Vegan (purple packaging) can be found in the produce section of grocery stores nationwide. GO Veggie! Dairy Free, Vegan and GO Veggie! Lactose Free, Rice (blue packaging) are available in natural food stores nationwide. For more information, visit: www.goveggiefoods.com.  

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SOURCE GO Veggie!