LeanPath CEO Selected for Business Journal's
"Forty Under Forty" Award

     Portland, Oregon, March 23, 2007 – LeanPath's CEO, Andrew R. Shakman, has been selected in a competitive process for recognition as one of Oregon's leading businesspeople under forty years old.  The following are some excerpts from the Portland Business Journal special issue that featured Andrew and thirty nine of his distinguished peers.

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Andrew R. Shakman, President and CEO, LeanPath, Inc.

Age: 34

Hometown: Ventura, California

What led to your present career?

I enjoy building new businesses, learning new markets and interacting with customers and partners who challenge me in new ways.  Although I've worked in creative roles and technology businesses somewhat consistently, I've tried not to follow a linear path.  Instead, I've sought opportunities where I felt I could help lead a high-performance team, create real value and innovate. 

Early in my career, I helped to build an Internet consulting firm that bridged design, marketing, technology and consulting.  Today, I'm leading a business that uses technology to bridge food service, operational improvement and sustainability.  Although the markets are quite different, the core building blocks of teams and technology-enabled innovation remain the same.

Most significant issue your organization faces?

As the only company in the food service market focused on reducing pre-consumer food waste, LeanPath is not just marketing a new solution set but also building an entirely new category for food waste reduction products and services.  This involves carefully balancing risk and return, making sure we invest correctly and efficiently in the right marketing and product development areas. 

Hot topic in your field?

At LeanPath, we're deeply interested in the connection between sustainability and waste reduction.  After years of failing to think much about waste, it's time for our society to focus more seriously on efforts to reduce waste at its source through design and process changes.  Through these efforts we can conserve and place a more balanced and sustainable burden on our resource base.

Charitiable or political cause?

I chair the board of the Software Association of Oregon's Education Foundation, which focuses on awakening a passion for technology among Oregon students.  I believe it's critically important for today's students to not just understand technology but to learn to use it actively to solve problems and innovate.  I'm involved in this because I want to make a difference for Oregon's kids, helping them discover new interests while building analytical muscles that will serve them whether they ultimate work in a technology-related career or any knowledge work.

Personal indulgence?

Chocolate chip cookies!