Bryan Clardy
Vice President of Research & Development
Planterra Foods
A highly-accomplished and results-oriented food service executive, Bryan Clardy brings to Planterra Foods an extensive record of experience in research and development, product development and integration, and portfolio diversification. As part of the Planterra Foods leadership team, Bryan came on board in December 2019 as Vice President of Research & Development for the innovative plant-based start-up in Colorado.
Partnering with creative thinkers who refuse to accept the status quo, he is focused on creating breakthrough products that will solve the greatest challenges. Part of the food industry for 22 years, Bryan has always aspired to make delicious food and explore the world discovering inspiring flavors. Before arriving at Planterra Foods, he was Vice President of Innovation at Keystone Foods (Huntsville, Ala.) where he led a team of 15 scientists and technologists to commercialize 18 new products in 2018 and present 13 innovation projects to the company’s C-suite. From 2011 through 2016, Bryan contributed his project management and R&D skills to Surlean Foods (San Antonio, Texas) beginning as Director, Research & Development and ultimately becoming a member of the executive leadership team as Vice President, Research and Customer Development. As Manager of Product Development for Taco Bell (Irvine, Calif.) for seven years, he headed one of three strategic pillars in R&D and executed the concept test for the popular Doritos Locos Taco.
Born and raised in southern California, Bryan is a multi-sport athlete inspired by the Colorado outdoor scene and committed to helping wipe out hunger in his local community. A graduate of Colorado State University with a Bachelor of Science in biological sciences, he also earned a Master of Science in food science and nutrition from Chapman University (Orange, Calif).