Gobo Team

Bill Lile, CEO - Back to top

Bill Lile's diversified experience in consumer goods along with a hands-on business approach has resulted in a successful career in sales and marketing. His first hand experience in product manufacturing and costing has led to the marketing of several brands and products still on the shelves today.

Bill is a forward thinker who specializes in understanding and managing the entire production process, from raw material sourcing and R&D, to packaging design, strategic marketing plans, and costing. He has focused his attention on the Club Wholesale industry where he has more than 25 years of direct marketing experience.

Bill drives full circle business and marketing plans focusing on the client, the buyer and the end user simultaneously. His vision for each client's success is a true passion.

• 30 years of diversified sales experience in retail grocery, mass merchandising, club and international import-export
• National brand experience with companies such as: Pillsbury, Phillip Morris, and Hoody's
• Over $4 billion in sales to Costco over 25 years at both Regional and Corporate levels
• Secured the rights to develop and market New York Carnegie Deli and Paula Deen branded items

Brenda Handley, President - Back to top

"I bring passion to every endeavor."

Five minutes within meeting Brenda, you'll feel like you've known her for years. That's because she takes a genuine interest in you and where your talents are leading. Mention a company or organization, and there's a good chance that Brenda knows someone who is involved in it, central to making things happen. Warm and genuine, Brenda has the rare ability to give you the spark you need to move forward. If you're ready to get going, Brenda's willing to help take you there.

• Former CEO NW Suites (now Aboda, Inc.), the largest individually-owned temporary housing services firm in the US, sold in 2005
• Consultant and speaker on women's business development for organizations, corporations and university MBA programs
• Advisor to international business executives expanding their global leadership
• Director and Chair of Development Committee,Benaroya Research Institute at Virginia Mason
• Director, Japan America Society of State of Washington
• Director, Densho, A Legacy Project
• Vice Chair, Japanese American Chamber of Commerce
• Co-chair with Mayor Greg Nickels and City Councilman Nick Licata, Annual Sister Cities Awards Ceremony 2008
• Best Companies to Work For - Washington CEO Magazine - 2005
• Celebrating Women Who Make a Difference - Seattle Mariners and Virginia Mason, 2004
• Finalist, Nellie Cashman Award, Women Business Owners, 2002

Linda Salomon, SVP International Business Development - Back to top

Linda leads Gobo's international development team charged with managing and expanding international business in East Asia. This includes identifying, sourcing and evaluating new food products for their feasibility in the U.S. domestic and East Asia markets. She also collaborates with firms to maximize their strengths with Gobo's "product to market" consulting expertise in the areas of brand development and product marketing and development.

Linda has over twenty years of international business development experience in investment advisement, contract administration, fund and program development and management. She has worked across numerous industries in business development and client relationship management.

• Led JETRO's (Japan External Trade Organization) efforts in the Pacific Northwest where she advised over 100 firms in various industries with their Japan export and/or investment strategies. She successfully guided U.S. firms through the business, legal and cultural issues they encounter in the trade and investment process. JETRO is a Japanese government-affiliated agency with six U.S. offices and 80 offices worldwide.
• Established and managed first Pacific Northwest office for the world's largest telecommunications firm.
• Director, Japan Program at Washington State Department of Community, Trade and Economic Development. Managed the state's office in Tokyo, Japan. Charged with increasing exports of high technology products and services to Japan and Europe.
• Responsible for funding and program development, Japan Studies Program, Jackson School of International Studies, University of Washington
• Contract Management, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Office of Finance and Accounting, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
• Past board president, Japan American Society of State of Washington
• Board member, International Trade Advisory Council for Trade Development Alliance of Greater Seattle
• Advisory board, North Seattle Community College International Trade Technical Committee and NSCC's International Trade Scholarship Endowment Administration Committee
• Graduate of University of Washington and has International Trade Specialist Certificate from the American Graduate School of International Management

Norio Yamanouchi, International Senior Advisor - Back to top

Norio Yamanouchi’s shares his knowledge and experience in managing, marketing and international partnering. Norio has worked for more than 40 years in the Japanese aircraft industry both in Japan and the US with participation in the 767 program, 7J7 and 777 programs as well. Norio provides invaluable international business development skills to achieve cooperative relationships between companies.

• Founder of Orion Network, Inc provides consulting services for aviation and international business development
• Senior Advisor for Airbus Japan with responsibility of promoting Airbus/EADS products sales in the Japanese market and developing cooperative relationships between the Japanese industry and Airbus/EADS.
• Senior VP and General Manager for the US Division of Civil Aircraft Engineering Service Company responsible for the entire Japanese aircraft industries joint activities in the Seattle, WA area.
• Various positions in Japan and US for the Japan Aircraft Development Corporation, managing and marketing working with Boeing for Japan’s participation in the 767 program, business/program management for new plane programs such as the 7J7 and 777.
• NAMCO (Nihon Aeroplane Manufacturing Company), development programs as a design engineer and as a project engineering pilot in the flight test program.
• Educated at University of Tokyo in Aeronautical Engineering

Adam Lile, National Sales Manager, Corporate Accountst - Back to top

Adam has joined the GOBO sales and marketing team to manage and expand the company’s Costco and other national accounts. He has previous experience with Costco and was instrumental in the development of the original Costco Carnegie Deli program and Kirkland Signature Sport Drink program with Yakama Juice. Prior to joining Gobo, Adam gained national sales experience through representing a portfolio of financial products to national investment firms. This required him to work with multiple decision-makers at national firms, assess their priorities and goals and recommend financial opportunities consistent with the marketplace and economy. At Gobo, Adam’s role will be to manage existing national account business and he will personally handle the account management responsibility for some of our key vendors.

• Participated in all stages of development of the Costco Carnegie Deli program, developing product concepts
• Sourcing products and working to make the program Kirkland Signature
• Sales experience in both food and non-food products
• BS in Business from University of Washington
• Active in community youth programs

Seth Handley, R & D Manager, Corporate Chef - Back to top

As Gobo's Corporate Chef, Seth brings forth his experience and education to take Gobo's client products from the kitchen to the retail counter. He is focused on developing and testing preparation instructions and ingredients for client products to ensure quality and consistency.

Seth graduated with a degree in Hospitality management from the University of Las Vegas specializing in the culinary arena. As kitchen manager and an instructor for banquet facilities at the University, Seth was responsible for meal preparation for up to 750 people. His strengths lie in restaurant operations for both front and back of the house, opening new restaurants, and high-capacity dining as well as fine dining.

Seth has had the honor of serving as Sous Chef for several celebrity chefs at events and presentations including: Iron Chef Morimoto, Paula Deen and Al Roker from the Today Show. Most recently, Seth assisted Paula Deen in the research and development of her new signature line of frozen cuisine, Paula Deen Southern Dishes.

• Managed Quality Assurance working with factories and co-packers in duplicating signature recipes
• On stage presentation experience with Today Show, Food Network South Beach Wine & Food Festival, Metropolitan Cooking & Entertainment Shows
• BS in Hotel Administration from the University of Las Vegas
• Assisted in the opening of Dos Caminos, Modern Mexican Cuisine and Lounge in The Palazzo Resort Hotel Casino in Las Vegas

Louis E. Mathis, Strategic Brand Partner - Back to top

Louis E. Mathis has spent his entire business career in the retail industry. He is a recognized expert in retail operations with a specialty in merchandising and private labeling. His passion, expertise and understanding of all aspects of the retail industry give him the ability to identify products that will be successful in the marketplace.

• CEO of LTM Consulting, LLC, Louis specializes in all aspects of product merchandising
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• 43 years with the Brookshire Grocery Company and currently as a valued consultant he started as an associate in the stores early in his career. Louis held numerous executive positions: Director of Merchandising, VP of Merchandising, Senior Vice President/Division Manager with his final position as Senior Vice President for Strategic Initiatives. Active on numerous industry advisory boards and committees