Our Team
Based in Chattanooga, Tennessee, Bridges has assembled a group of consumer health and personal care experts with a proven track record of brand renovation, product innovation and commercial and operational excellence.
Founder
Robert Long
President & CEO
Prior Experience
Robert has over 20 years of experience in the branded consumer products industry. He served as the Head of the North American Region, CEO of Chattem, Inc. and a member of the Paris-based leadership team for Sanofi's CHC Global Business Unit. He also served Chattem in several other executive positions.
Robert has held several executive positions in various strategic development and financial leadership roles and served clients across a number of industries with Arthur Andersen and Ernst & Young.
Education
Robert is a certified Public Accountant and received a BS in Finance with a minor in Economics from the University of Tennessee - Chattanooga.
Leadership Team
Ryan Anderson
Vice President of Digital
Prior Experience
Ryan has over 15 years of marketing, product development, digital, and analytical experience in the CPG industry.
He began his career in a leadership and development program with General Mills that moved him through various facets of business before moving into brand management and product development in the pet
industry. During his time, he drove growth through the ecommerce channel and digital marketing campaigns for numerous categories and brands. He has a track record of leading digital transformation initiatives and building out ecommerce and digital marketing teams as businesses scale.
Education
Master of Business Administration from Arizona State University and a Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Wisconsin – Madison in Marketing and Finance.
Jack Bakke
Head of Operations & Distribution
Prior Experience
With over 20 years of industry experience, Jack most recently served as the Director of Procurement for a major Consumer Healthcare company working in various categories including contract manufacturing, raw materials and packaging.
Prior to Healthcare, Jack served in various Supply Chain roles including Procurement, Contract Manufacturing, Planning, ERP system implementation, Master Data and Packaging Engineering for a leading FMCG company in the Confections industry.
Education
Jack earned a Master of Business Administration degree from the University of Tennessee - Chattanooga and a Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial Technology from the University of Wisconsin - Stout.
Jennifer Cooper
Vice President of Brand Management
Prior Experience
Jennifer has over 23 years of marketing experience including 20 years in the CPG industry.
She began her marketing career in the Quick Service (Fast Foods) industry before working on specialty and growth OTC brands for 18 years at Chattem/Sanofi. Jennifer has a history of driving brand growth through innovation and brand renovation while delivering financial performance. Prior to joining Bridges, she served as Director of Marketing at Chattanooga State Community College.
Education
Master Degree in Business Administration/Organizational management, Bachelor of Science/Marketing.
Andy Flasch
Vice President of Sales
Prior Experience
With over 20 years of CPG experience, Andy is highly experienced in building effective teams and go-to-market strategies to deliver industry-leading sales results.
Prior to joining Bridges, Andy served in various executive sales leadership roles focused on Customer Business Development, Trade Management, Sales Planning and Analytics. These roles were at leading FMCG companies including Genomma Labs, Sanofi/Chattem CHC, Pfizer CHC and Gillette.
Education
BA, University of Wisconsin Eau Claire
Scott Hughes
Head of Quality and Regulatory Affairs
Prior Experience
With over 20 years of industry experience, Scott most recently served as the Director of Quality Assurance and Regulatory Affairs for the leading Consumer Healthcare company in Asia, working to develop QMS to meet the United States FDA requirements. Scott has developed QMS for companies working with contract manufacturing companies on multiple continents to meet United States FDA requirements.
Prior to consumer health care Scott served 7 years in the US Army as a Helicopter mechanic serving overseas and in Desert Shield and Desert Storm.
Education
Scott earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Biochemistry from the University of Memphis.
Jason Sondgeroth
Head of Innovation
Prior Experience
With over 20 years of industry experience, Jason most recently served as the CSO for a start-up pharmaceutical company. Previously, he served for 17 years in innovation at Chattem/Sanofi.
Jason has multiple patents and has had success with innovations in multiple CPG categories including skincare, sun care, pain care, anti-itch, oral care, hair care, baby care and dietary supplements. He has a history of driving brand growth through product technology, claims innovation and a delightful consumer experience.
Education
Jason earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry from Indiana University.
Inactive Investor
Blair Ramey
