News  //  August 2, 2022

Curious Plot Adds Two Agriculture and Food Industry Veterans to Board of Advisors

Curious Plot has added two leading food and ag industry voices to its prestigious Board of Advisors. Joining are:

  • George Hoffman, service and supply chain management expert and retired president and CEO of Restaurant Services Inc.
  • Kevin Kester, a fifth-generation rancher and owner of Bear Valley Ranch & Vineyards, and former president of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA).

Curious Plot is the marketing, communications and consulting agency serving clients in the food, agriculture and companion animal markets. The Curious Plot Board of Advisors is unique among marketing services agencies, consisting of nine extraordinary leaders in the agriculture, food and animal care markets, providing seasoned counsel, insights and strategic guidance to agency team members and clients.

“Our BOA has long been a tremendous resource for our agency in helping broaden our thinking and providing support and counsel to our clients to help them meet their greatest challenges,” said Laurie Fleck, chief executive officer, Curious Plot. “The timing could not be better to have George and Kevin join the BOA. Their collective expertise ranging from production and distribution to logistics and buyer behavior is of the utmost value as clients seek to navigate these very issues.”

“It’s an honor to join this very distinct group of experts to help support not only Curious Plot’s team and clients, but the very industries they support,” Hoffman said. “I look forward to helping Curious Plot assist its agriculture and food clients take on the many uncontrollable challenges that impact their industries.”

“I’ve admired Curious Plot for establishing an independent advisory team and look forward to bringing my experiences in food production, government policy and international trade to support the agency in their decision-making and strategic client recommendations,” said Kester.

Hoffman: Food System From A-Z

George Hoffman serves on the Board of Advisors for Curious Plot.Hoffman spent nearly 25 years as president and CEO of Restaurant Services Inc., the independent supply chain management and distribution system for Burger King. He has worked in various aspects of the food business, including food manufacturing, distribution, logistics, packaging, facilities, equipment and technology.

Before joining Restaurant Services, Hoffman served as a vice president for Burger King Corporation, served with the Department of Agriculture in Washington, D.C., and worked for The Pillsbury Company in Minneapolis. Hoffman has a Ph.D. in agricultural economics from the University of Minnesota.

Kester: Local, National, International Ag Experience

Kevin Kester serves on the Curious Plot Board of Advisors.Kester and his wife, June, own a 22,000-acre ranch where they manage a cow/calf operation his family founded in 1867 and produce wine grapes for local winemakers as Bear Valley Ranch & Vineyards. Kester is a former president of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association and was an advisor to the U.S. Trade Representative under two presidential administrations where he assisted with developing trade agreements with numerous countries.

Kester has a degree in ag management from California Polytechnic State University and worked in law enforcement, real estate and the family’s mercantile retail business for several years before taking over the family ranch.

See who else serves on our Board of Advisors.