Island Natural

For Paul Burstyn, Island Natural is a labor of love. Paul became fascinated with natural products during his college years. In 1970, he joined and later managed a food co-op that was an offshoot of a college course called "community building" at Richmond College in Staten Island. It was there that he got his first exposure to the world of natural health and the fledgling natural products business.

After graduating from college, Paul worked in various capacities in the natural products industry- first as a store manager in a health food store in Brooklyn, then as a salesman for a small wholesale distributor.

Teaming up with his father Adam, Paul started Island Natural in 1979.  Utilizing his passion for natural foods, industry experience and expertise, Paul developed Island Natural into a major distributor of natural products in the New York metro area.

To this day, Paul enjoys working closely with customers and vendors, seeking out new ventures under the Island Natural umbrella.  Within the natural products industry, there are many companies that produce a wide variety of exciting and high quality products. Paul's passion is to locate the most exciting, interesting, and innovative natural products, and deliver them to Island Natural’s valued customers.

In his private life, Paul is an avid music fan.  He enjoys playing the piano as well as following a broad array of rock, jazz, and blues musicians. Additionally, Paul enjoys playing racquetball and spending time with his two sons Jeremy and Matthew.

Fave Product: “Hands down it has got to be Kensington Farms Apple Sauce. The secret is in the chunks!”

Rob Metters has been servicing Brooklyn for Island Natural over the past 15 years.  In this time, Rob has "ridden the wave” of Brooklyn’s transformation, from primarily a residential backwater to a borough that contains the "hippest" neighborhoods in the country. In this time he has helped supermarkets, delis, gourmet stores and pharmacies stock the appropriate products to service this new retail environment.

    Rob lives in a New Jersey suburb with his wife and children.  He has been a vegetarian for most of his life. His personal interests are in Tai Chi Chuan and traditional Chinese medicine.

Fave Product: “My favorite product at Island Natural is Amy and Brian’s coconut water (with pulp). It’s the best tasting coconut water on the market!”

Greg Cuoco grew up in the specialty/ natural food business.  Greg's grandfather started Melba Food Specialties in 1942 and pioneered the distribution of specialty foods in the NYC metro area. Working for many years selling, consulting with customers, sourcing out and creating new products, Greg covered all aspects of specialty and natural food distribution. Later on, he earned the title of National Sales Manager in the truffle business by helping to market and expand the awareness and distribution of these high end products. Lured by the fantastic array of products at Island Natural and a chance to bring such healthy, natural and organic products to retailers in the NYC area is what led Greg to join the team at Island Natural in January of 2010.
About his new as well as long-time customers; "Educating retailers who have not had an opportunity to sell many natural and organic items helps them not only grow their business but provide a positive healthy lifestyle for their customers."
With a long history of music in his family, Greg developed a passion for music at a young age. While at Hartwick College, Greg ran the campus radio station.  In the early 90s, Greg became involved in creating and DJ’ing dance music, a passion he continues to pursue to this day. Greg also enjoys fishing, cooking and writing.

Fave Product: “My favorite product is Naked Granola. Low in sugar, mostly organic, extremely healthy and great tasting, what more can you want?”

     Ira has been with Island Natural since 1983 and has developed a reputation for honesty and responsibility. He has had a very successful tenure working mainly in downtown Manhattan for almost all of his time with the company. He feels a good reputation and trust from his customers is paramount in his ability to satisfy and service customers.
     Ira lives in Bucks County, PA and has for many years.  On weekends, Ira can often be found outside, either hiking or scrambling up a mountain. The natural environment and the challenges encountered give him much satisfaction. Also, Ira enjoys the performing arts; he attends many shows, from classic ballet to funky small theater.

Fave Product: “Yerba Prima Psyllium Husks. I believe this item has kept my inside digestive tract extremely clean and therefore my internal organs disease free. I have been using it since discovering the item when I first came to Island Natural.”

Dawn Favale is the newest member of the Island Natural Sales team; she started working for the company in July of 2010.  With over 20 years of experience in the natural food industry. She shares our passion for natural and organic foods. Dawn started out in her father’s health food store when she was 12 years old and has been dedicated to natural and organic foods ever since. Previous to Island Natural, she was the manager and whole foods buyer of a natural foods grocery store in Brooklyn for more than 15 years.
Dawn has extensive knowledge of health and nutrition and loves working with the public and educating people about natural and organic foods.
When she's not working Dawn loves to keep active, she enjoys the outdoors and spends her time with her husband biking or just taking long walks.  she is also an animal lover: she rescued two dogs and three cats over the years; she loves caring for and spending time wth them; they are the loves of her life.

Fave Product: “My favorite Island Natural product is Amy and Brian's all natural coconut juice; I love coconut juice and Amy and Brian's is the absolute best tasting coconut juice on the market today!”

After graduating from college and completing his military obligation, Dan spent 13 years in the corporate world, 12 with General Foods.  Afterwards, he owned and operated a Queen’s based vitamin and sports nutrition distributorship for 18 years.  During this time, he became acquainted with Island Natural.  Dan has been working at Island Natural since July of 2010.

For his down time, Dan enjoys playing golf, exercising at his local health club, and spending time with his granddaughter.

Fave Product: “My favorite Island product is Sweet Riot Chocolate Bars. It is the optimum satisfaction for my chocolate craving.”

Dean’s experience in the natural food industry spans over two decades. Dean has worked with Whole Foods Market, Fresh Fields, and was an owner/operator of his own full-scale natural food market, The Happy Carrot, in New Jersey. All of Dean's experience is in the tri-state area, and with Island, his territory remains in the New Jersey, Staten Island and Rockland County, NY areas. Dean's personal commitment to a natural foods lifestyle, as well as his experiences, each provide him with a wealth of knowledge on products and the industry at large.

Fave Product: “My favorite Island Natural Product would have to be Alkazone Water. Not only does it help your body stay balanced, it’s just great water all around!”

Prior to working here at Island Natural, Susie worked for many years at a Vitamin manufacturer before she decided to change her career by going to work for a bank. After a number of years working in banking Susie began working for Island Natural in December 2008 in the Accounts Payable Department. She is now the Office Manager at Island Natural’s offices in Astoria Queens. In her spare time Susie enjoys racquetball as well as a variety of outdoor activities such as hiking.

Fave Product: “My absolute favorite products at Island Natural are the Kind Bars.”

Peter Berelson brings a wealth of experience to his position as Buyer for Island Natural. He is a 30 year veteran of the Natural Products Industry.  Peter started out as a store manager for GNC, then owned his own health food distribution company which specialized in refrigerated products. He has been involved in all facets of the industry including retail, wholesale and manufacturing.  This is Peter’s second stint at Island Natural. The first time around, he was an outside sales rep for 10 years.  Today, Peter is charged with keeping over 200 product lines in stock. He is the go-to guy for any information related to product status.

Outside the office, Peter loves movies and musicals from the Golden Age of Hollywood, the 30s to the 60s. One of his favorite sayings is that “Everything old is new again”.  His favorite hobby is immersing himself in ways to empower people to truly pursue what they love and becoming abundant in all areas of their lives.

Fave Product: “I am familiar with every single item in Island Natural’s extensive offering. But if I had to choose a personal favorite, it would be the Apple Cinnamon Kind Bars. They are quite addictive!

“I have been with Island Natural since 2006. The past five years have provided me with an ongoing opportunity to learn many aspects of the natural food business. Mostly, I am proud to be able to work alongside such dedicated co-workers as we strive to serve our customers. Additionally, it has been interesting to learn about and enjoy the many great products Island Natural offers.’

‘Prior to coming to Island I attended Penn State University. Outside of Island, I enjoy various outdoor activities and spending time with friends and family.”

Fave Product: “Green and Black’s chocolate bar with cherries is one of my favorite products that we carry.”

Bud’s career has taken many turns. His ambition upon graduating from college was to become an English professor. Due to the lack of jobs in field, however, he ended up working for several years as a high school teacher before turning to accounting. (Not so surprising as he had begun college as a math major.) He became a partner in a major accounting firm with which he spent ten years in Switzerland. After retiring from the accounting firm about 9 years ago, he worked as CFO for two Swiss start-up companies and an international venture capital firm. Bud has been working with Island Natural since the fall of 2010.

Bud is an avid sailor and skier.

Fave Product: Bud’s favorite Island Natural products are (he hates to admit it) Kettle Chips.

Delores Norfleet  worked as an Accounts Payable Manager for many years for a non-profit organization.  After leaving that position, she worked for several years  as a Real Estate Agent.  She has recently returned to the work force, and now coordinates  Accounts Payables /Accounts Receivables at Island Natural.  She loves to interact with people, and to solve problems.  She enjoys relaxing and listening to Smooth Jazz music with her husband who is also a Smooth Jazz fan.  She is a big Tennis fan, and would like to play some day for recreation.
 

Fave Product: "My favorite product at Island Natural is the Loacker-Hazelnut Quadratini. Love them!"

Dave Berke has been the Operations and Warehouse Manager at Island Natural for over 15 years. Before Island, Dave gained many years of Distribution experience in such diverse fields as the Liquor industry, the Garment industry and the International Export industry. Dave has been part of Island Natural’s growth from a single shift to a two shift work day. He has also transitioned the warehouse workforce from a manual pick and pack operation to a computer driven bar code inventory system. Dave is responsible for all outbound deliveries of Island Natural’s products to its valued customers. He is also the coordinator for all inbound deliveries, as well as the hiring of warehouse personnel. Outside of Island Natural, Dave is an avid golfer. In addition to playing locally, he and his wife look forward to traveling and meeting the challenge of new courses. Dave’s other interests are following his favorite sports teams and being a volunteer firefighter.

Fave Product: "Without a doubt, my favorite product is Brent and Sam’s Cookies. They taste too good not to be homemade."

Norman has been the Late Shift Warehouse Manager for Island Natural Inc. since 2006 and is responsible for directing the distribution and shipments of the company.  Prior to his employment with Island Natural, he had many years of experience as a distribution manager at other companies.
In his private life, Norman enjoys golf and tennis with his son and daughter. He also enjoys swimming.

Fave Product: “I have a number of favorites. Salpica dips are great because they complement any chips when I entertain friends and family. I also enjoy Island’s large selection of Kind Bars. They give me extra energy in the evenings and are a great snack to grab when I’m on the go. Lastly, I enjoy Bob’s Red Mill products. They provide healthy grains which are good with breakfast, lunch and dinner.”

Previous to Island Natural, Drew worked in a law firm administrative position. In August 2010, Drew joined Island Natural as the Inventory Control Manager. Utilizing his customer service and PC skills, as well as his natural abilities as an effective communicator, Drew has become a true asset to the Island Natural team. Outside of Island, Drew is a movie and music buff. He loves all kinds of music from Classic Rock to Gangsta Rap. Drew loves meeting new people, and is also into spiritualism, astrology and self-improvement.

Fave Product: "My favorite products at Island Natural are the South of France soaps. They smell so great!"