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Our Story Bio






WE’D LIKE TO INTRODUCE YOU TO THE KEY MEMBERS OF THE CLASSIC FOODS TEAM. They are valued for their experience, ingenuity, and a strong work ethic. These individuals are the essential ingredients to our company’s success.


Florencio Sr Florencio Cuétara Jr. – Chairman of the Board

At the age of 16, Florencio Jr. joined his father’s business in the cookie division. He played an integral role in developing the snack food division. Florencio Jr. has always been passionate about the quality of his company’s products. Today, he enjoys traveling to the company’s different facilities, and remains actively involved in every aspect of the business, including developing new products. His hobbies include spending time with his 12 grandchildren. Florencio Jr. continues to set the high moral and ethical standards for everyone who works at Classic Foods. Since its beginnings, these qualities have been the core of our company’s success.
Florencio President Florencio Cuétara – President & CEO

As Classic Foods’ chief, Florencio oversees all facets of the company. For more than 22 years, he has run the family business – always using a keen mind and putting his heart in the right place. Born in Madrid, Spain, where he grew up working for the Cuétara family business, Florencio moved to the United States in 1981, and received his degree in applied physics from University of California, Irvine. A loving husband and a father of three, Florencio understands the importance of fostering good health and relationships: two qualities that he puts first here at Classic Foods.
Philip Stephens Philip Stephens – Chief Operating Officer

After interviewing with Classic Foods, Philip was so impressed with this company’s business model that he thought he could contribute to its future growth and profitability. With a Bachelor’s of Science in Business Administration from USC, over twenty years of experience in finance and banking, and previous work at UBS and Wells Fargo, Philip has done just that and more. You see, he not only keeps our finances in order, but he also manages to make us laugh everyday with his great sense of humor. Philip was born and raised in California and still resides in the Golden State with his wife and daughter.
Roya Roya Rohani – VP of Marketing

As the director of Classic Foods marketing department, Roya brings a global perspective to the company. She is fluent in five languages, including English, Farsi, French, Italian, and Spanish. She is proud to help shape the company’s overall brand as well as its advertising and marketing efforts, which promote Classic Foods all-natural products. As a consummate multi-tasker, Roya devotes her time to charities such as the Pediatric Cancer Research Foundation and raising her three children. She is not only a dedicated wife and mother, but also an avid hockey enthusiast. With her love for the sport, Roya has sponsored several youths to play hockey. She attended high school in France and then earned two degrees from the University of California, Irvine. She believes in giving 110% to everything she sets out to accomplish each day.
Kristin Kristin Kelly – Director of Operations

In June of 2006, Kristin came to us as the Operations Manager. With her hard work and dedication, she was promoted to Director of Operations. Kristin has a knack for making sure all our orders get made - coast to coast, and arrive at the right place at the right time and to the right people. We call her “the most wanted woman” because she plays such an important role in keeping the company running smoothly. Kristin was born in Santa Barbara, where she lived for 20 years. She is also furthering her education by pursuing a degree in business. Kristin is a loving wife, and enjoys reading as well as outdoors activities such as camping and fishing.
Michael Michael Casazza – Director of Retail Sales – West Coast

With over ten years of sales and management experience for companies such as Fresh Directions International, Index Fresh and Calavo, Mike saw an opportunity to grow with Classic Foods. Since he started here, he has been in charge of establishing new retail accounts and expanding the current business. Mike plans “to change the world’s taste buds one chip at a time.” Mike grew up in a Northern California’s farming region. Eventually, he left small town living for Southern California, where he received his Bachelor’s degree in psychology from University of California, Irvine. When Mike isn’t busy building new retail relationships, he enjoys working out, writing music, and playing his guitar.
Manuel Manuel Verdugo – Director of Research & Development

Manuel has more than 31 years of experience in the snack food industry. His career began at the age of 17 when he worked as a line operator with a sister Cuétara Company in Madrid, Spain. Over the years, Manuel has been in the forefront of snack facilities all over the country. He has planned or redesigned five new snack food production facilities in Spain, Bolivia, Mexico and the United States. Born and raised in Spain, he now resides in southern California as a proud father of three along with his wife and two grandchildren. In his spare time, Manuel enjoys playing golf and watching Formula One racing.