Northern California Team
Rob Giusti
Owner & President – Northern California
With over four decades of experience in the grocery and consumer packaged goods industries, Rob Giusti brings extensive industry knowledge, leadership, and sales expertise to Global Sales & Marketing.
Rob began his career at the store level, starting as a grocery bagger and quickly advancing through a variety of roles, including wine, dairy, frozen foods, pricing, and receiving. His dedication and leadership eventually earned him a position as Assistant Store Director, making him one of the youngest individuals to hold that role at Andronico’s at the time.
Seeking to broaden his experience, Rob transitioned into sales representative for Gourmet Specialties, a specialty foods distributor. He was later promoted to District Manager, overseeing the Sacramento region and further developing his expertise in sales management, distribution, and customer relationships.
Rob ultimately returned to Andronico’s as Senior Buyer for specialty foods, natural foods, and adult beverages. During his tenure, he developed a nationally recognized wine steward program, demonstrating his ability to create innovative programs that enhance both customer experience and category performance. After 23 years with Andronico’s, Rob joined Global Sales & Marketing as a sales representative.
During his first eight years with Global Sales & Marketing, Rob’s performance earned him the distinction of Western Region Broker of the Year for three consecutive years. He later accepted a position as Western Regional Sales Manager for a leading yogurt manufacturer, where he successfully expanded distribution by more than 800 stores. Over the following seven years, his responsibilities grew to include the management of more than 60 mass-market and natural retail accounts throughout the Western United States.
In January 2019, Rob returned to Global Sales & Marketing as President, bringing with him a unique perspective shaped by decades of experience on both the retail and manufacturer sides of the industry. His comprehensive understanding of grocery operations, sales, distribution, category management, and retail relationships continues to play an integral role in the company’s growth and success.
Outside of work, Rob enjoys gardening, hiking, backpacking, golf, bowling, and traveling with his wife, PJ.
Phone: (530) 906-0775
PJ Giusti
Owner & Chief Financial Officer – Northern California
With more than 30 years of accounting, financial management, and business leadership experience, PJ serves as Owner and Chief Financial Officer of Global Sales & Marketing. Her extensive background across multiple industries gives her a broad business perspective and a strong understanding of the financial, operational, and regulatory disciplines required to build and sustain a successful organization.
As CFO, PJ oversees the financial strategy and fiscal management of Global Sales & Marketing, providing the insight and discipline necessary to support both day-to-day operations and long-term growth. Her responsibilities encompass financial planning and analysis, budgeting, cash-flow management, job costing, forecasting, internal controls, regulatory compliance, and strategic planning.
Beyond traditional financial management, PJ brings significant expertise in human resources, employment compliance, policies and procedures, and organizational leadership. Her ability to connect financial performance with operational effectiveness allows her to evaluate the business from a comprehensive perspective. She continually looks for opportunities to strengthen processes, improve efficiencies, enhance accountability, and position the company for sustainable growth.
She is committed not only to protecting the financial health of the organization but also to ensuring that Global Sales & Marketing operates with the professionalism, integrity, and accountability its clients and partners expect.
Outside of work, PJ spends time with family and friends and especially enjoys being Grandma to her and Rob’s six grandchildren. She and Rob share a love of travel, whether exploring destinations abroad or hitting the road in their RV. PJ also enjoys golfing, boating, hiking, and decorating the forever home.
Tim Caruso
Executive Account Manager - Conventional & Natural
Safeway/Albertsons, Draeger’s, Nugget, Mar Val, C&S, and UNFI Conventional
With more than 30 years of grocery, retail, and CPG experience, Tim brings extensive industry knowledge and a strong background in retail operations, sales, and account management to Global Sales & Marketing.
Tim began his career with Safeway in 1987, advancing from courtesy clerk through several departments before becoming a Dairy Manager. After more than 20 years in retail, he joined Crossmark in 2008, representing Kimberly-Clark throughout Northern California, Oregon, Washington, and Utah and managing key retail and wholesale accounts.
Tim later joined Adobe Sales as Vice President of Sales, where he successfully developed brands and expanded distribution throughout California. In 2022, he brought his experience to Global Sales & Marketing as a Key Account Manager, managing key customers including Safeway, Nugget Markets, and Supervalu (UNFI Stockton). His addition helped bring the GSM sales team to more than 100 years of combined industry experience.
Originally from Fremont, Tim now lives in Oakley with his wife and three children. He studied Radio and Television at San Jose State University and worked as a Sports Producer at KTVU in 1995. Outside of work, he enjoys coaching baseball and softball, barbecuing, fantasy football, and spending time with his family. An avid sports fan, Tim follows the Los Angeles Chargers, Washington Nationals, and Philadelphia 76ers.
tcaruso@globalsalesmktg.com
Bill Eure
Field Merchandiser
Bill’s career in the Specialty Food business has spanned 45 years, starting with Ponds Products in 1976, where he helped serve local independent markets and fruit stands. In 1978, Bill was brought on board at Mother Lode Distributing Company as Vice President of Sales & Merchandising to independent grocers, produce markets, and restaurants. Products included bulk & packaged candies, natural foods, nuts, dried fruits, and many grocery items. Bill also bought and sold to Mike Funk, founder of Mountain Peoples Warehouse in Nevada City, which is now UNFI.
In August of 1988, Bill was offered a job at Gourmet Specialties, the premiere specialty food distributor of Northern California, where he stayed and thrived, first as a salesman then promoted to District Manager and finally Account Manager. Even though Gourmet Specialties is no longer around, Bill was still in the same position he took over in October of 1996 as Account Manager of Raley’s Supermarkets, until he retired in May 2021 from UNFI.
beure@globalsalesmktg.com
Brandon Jackson
World Market – Northern California
With over 25 years of experience in the grocery industry, Brandon’s background includes DSD sales at Alpine Distribution, schematic development at Marketing Specialists, category management at Nugget Markets and category management at UNFI.
Over his entire career, he has developed lasting relationships with many manufacturers and key leaders in the grocery industry. In addition to working with key retailers and distributors, he can help brands with promotional planning, margin analysis and pricing, and on-shelf execution. With a mind-set of service, an eye for detail, and great follow-through, Brandon’s team can help grow brands by increasing distribution and sales in California. Whether a large, national brand or a pioneering start-up, together his team will develop strong programs that turn your sales goals into reality.
When Brandon’s not working, he enjoys snowboarding in Tahoe, riding his motorcycle in the foothills of Northern California, or attending classic Volkswagen car shows.
bjackson@globalsalesmktg.com
Yolanda Montes
Senior Promotions & Pricing Analyst
Yolanda joined the GSM team in 2019 and has 22 years’ experience in the grocery industry working as an administrative and account executive assistant. She is responsible for setting up new items, price changes, promotion submission and managing food shows. She is highly proficient and responsive to our customers and principles.
In her spare time, Yolanda loves to read, go hiking, swimming and long morning walks. She also enjoys spending time with her two grandsons, family BBQ’s and of course good food.
promotions@globalsalesmktg.com
Jan Shaw
Executive Account Manager - Natural
Mollie Stone’s, Eureka Natural Foods, Oliver’s Market and North Bay
Jan has been in the food and beverage industry for 25 years. Her entrepreneurial spirit has driven all professional choices of her adult life, and she brings that sense of ownership and ingenuity to the GSM team. She has started two businesses in her lifetime, starting with a high-end clothing boutique in Marin County that she ran for five years, followed by a national baked goods brand.
In the final year of owning her boutique, Jan was itching for something different. Jan’s friends had always praised her cooking and baking, so she researched how to start a baked goods company. She learned many skills during this venture: how to source raw materials and packaging; manage a nationwide broker network; and raise funds. Her brand was shown at both the New York and San Francisco Fancy Food Shows. The experience proved instrumental in her professional journey.
Jan’s retail sales experience started at a local coffee company in the Bay Area where she worked for 12 years. She began as a sales rep and quickly moved up to sales manager, supervising a team of four. After managing the local coffee company, she was picked up by a national company as their Director of Sales and Marketing for their coffee division. She oversaw R&D in which she created different flavor blends for retailers like Target, Smart & Final, and other grocery chains throughout the U.S. and England.
Jan continued in retail sales, moving to the broker side for three years. She has also been the West Region Manager for three different brands over the years. GSM is so incredibly lucky to have such a seasoned sales veteran on the team—her breadth of experience, relationships, and hard work make her an invaluable asset.
In her free time, Jan loves to travel. She has been to Italy, Fiji, Australia, Switzerland, Germany, and France, where she attended cooking school. She loves to find the perfect cheese to pair with a glass of wine. Living in the heart of wine country, Jan enjoys hikes in Sonoma County, winetasting, and entertaining family and friends with her cooking.
jshaw@globalsalesmktg.com
Marty Stoops
Account Manager - Natural & Conventional
Berkeley Bowl, Farmer Joes, Lunardi’s and South Bay Accounts
Marty’s grocery journey started back in high school and began with 23 years of UFCW service at store level for Safeway, Gemco, Lucky’s, and Albertsons from bagger, night crew manager, receiver, and everything in between. His niche was inventory control, and he could write orders for all departments. The next 23 years were full of change, challenges, education, and continuous growth. He held positions involving analytics, promotional planning, category, broker, distributor, regional and national sales management. Companies include Albertsons, Longs Drugs, Unified Western Grocers, Borden Dairy, brands such as Western Family, Natural Directions, Springfield, Lala, Tasty Bite, Village Pie Maker, Maple Valley, Noodle & Boo. Every role along the way happened for a reason, taken him to new heights, and led him here. What gets him out of bed, creating relationships and building the win, win scenario.
When not working Marty likes to do the grocery shopping (always looking for the right item, right place, right time, and for the right price), cooking, mixology, fishing, hiking, golf, poker, and TV time. His favorite teams: Las Vegas Raiders, San Francisco Giants, and Golden State Warriors, author: Steven King, music: classic rock. Both he and his wife Lisa of 37 years appreciate working hard at their careers and the savor breakaway vacations.
mstoops@globalsalesmktg.com
Southern California Team
Dave Quan
Owner and President – Southern California
Dave’s expertise and vast knowledge of the Southern California market are a great asset to Global Sales & Marketing. His fabulous reputation is well known and well respected. When out in the field, Dave is often stopped in the aisles of the retailers he visits often and greeted by name—his experience and relationships are the keystone to his success in the Southern California region.
Dave brings 30 years of experience in the grocery field to Global Sales & Marketing. His 10 years of experience at store level ranged from order clerk to department head. After four years of overseeing American sales for an Asian food distributor, Dave became a broker. He has nearly 20 years of experience as a broker, half of which have been heading the Southern California division of Global Sales & Marketing.
Email Dave
Nancy Pahlman
Operations Manager
Nancy brings over 30 years of specialty and natural grocery retail experience to Global Sales & Marketing. She has worked in numerous positions within the industry from store level clerk and management to assistant buyer and outside sales. Her diverse experience makes her a great asset as Operations Manager for Global Sales & Marketing.
As Operations Manager, Nancy supports Southern California sales teams. She also maintains the company’s infrastructure, and remains hands on with the communications between manufacturer and customer.
Email Nancy
Edwina Villega
Sales Rep
My career in the food industry began before UPC codes appeared on packaging. I started working for the Boney family at what was then Windmill Farms and over time became Sprouts Farmers Markets. I managed the Vitamin Department and was the Vitamin Buyer for a few years until I took a job as a Regional Sales Manager for Radiance/American Health vitamins. That job parlayed into working for RGA (Robert George and Associates), a Southern CA food broker from 1986 to 1996. I then went to work for several brands as Regional Sales Manager and Director of Sales: Enrico’s Pasta Sauces, glaceau water (makers of vitaminwater/smartwater), Sweet Leaf Tea, and most recently, High Brew Coffee.
I suppose I missed many of the folks I’d met along the way: the innovators, the retailers, and many other salespeople whose paths intertwined with mine over the past 40 years so I decided to return.
I enjoy hiking, the zoo, reading, working in my garden, and putting together gatherings with family and friends. I am married to David and between us we have three children and one grandchild, who just started college.
Email Edwina
Ray Yanagita
Key Account Manager – Southern California
Ray has 20 years' experience servicing retail accounts at the store level, the last eight of which have been with Global Sales & Marketing. His attention to detail and great follow through ensure that our brands have not only made it to the shelf, but are priced appropriately and look great.
Ray is involved with all aspects of store merchandising including the set up and implementation of schematics, securing of shelf tags and ensuring that all products that should be on the shelf have indeed made it out to the floor. In addition, Ray handles any issues that arise at store level and works with store managers personally. He also performs product audits and assists with demos.