Posted: November 21, 2008

James Zallie

James Zallie

James Zallie was one of six alumni to receive the College of Agricultural Sciences 2004 Outstanding Alumni award. Jim received a B.S. degree in 1983 from the Department of Food Science at Penn State, an M.S. degree in Food Science from Rutgers University in 1988 and an M.B.A. in finance from Rutgers Graduate School of Management in 1991.

After his education, he joined National Starch and Chemical Company, where he excelled in technical and managerial positions as manager, director, and vice president to his current position as senior vice president of Natural Polymers.

He is also currently a member of National Starch and Chemical Company's Senior Management Committee. In this position, Jim has made both economic and technical contributions in the United States as well as abroad. He was responsible for businesses in over thirteen countries, almost doubling National Starch and Chemical Companies business during that period and more than tripling its profitability. He oversaw expansion of National Starch and Chemical Companies specialty tapioca starch operations, enabling the company to become the world's largest, most successful modified tapioca starch supplier in the world. He was responsible for the initiative that will create the first western starch manufacturing facility and technical center in China. During his time in research and development, he has led two major breakthroughs in starch and food technology: the development of the Novation line of Functional Native Starches and the commercial development of resistant Starch-starch that functions as dietary fiber.

In his current position, he is responsible for the Pan-Atlantic Food Hydrocolloids business and operations, amounting $500 million in turnover as well as leading their global strategy efforts.

Department of Food Science

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