Welcome to Snack Chat, Frito-Lay’s blog and online outlet for sharing the “good fun” Frito-Lay story – a story marked with a long history of inspiring well-being, starting with our company’s founders, Herman Lay and Elmer Doolin, and continuing today with the work we’re doing in areas such as environmental sustainability and health and wellness.
We launched Snack Chat in late 2008 to better connect with and learn from you, our online friends, on the topics important to us – health and wellness (especially healthier snacking), environmental sustainability and serving as an employer and partner of choice – as well as the topics important to you. Although our original chief blogger, Dave Philips, retired from Snack Chat, our blogging team (see bios below) now keeps our readers updated with entertaining, engaging and inspiring posts that educate, converse and offer insights about everything Frito-Lay – our snacks, programs, contests and promotions, as well as our people and all of our communities!
Meet the Snack Chat Blogging Team:
Alexia Allina:
I’m one of the newest members of the Frito-Lay communications team, having recently moved to Plano, Texas, from Los Angeles. In my Frito-Lay public relations role, I focus on sharing news about what’s happening with many of your favorite Frito-Lay brands – Lay’s, Cheetos, Doritos, Tostitos and more! Check out my posts to hear about great new chip flavors, contests, promotions and special events. I’m currently on my second stint in Plano – we actually lived here for a while when I was a kid. So when I’m not at work, I spend most of my time getting re-acquainted with the area, discovering great places to eat (this time I’m old enough to actually enjoy being out on the town), finding great yoga studios and snacking on Doritos Nacho Cheese, my favorite Frito-Lay snack.
Randy Boggs:
I am currently the digital media analyst for the PepsiCo ‘Food for Good’ initiative, which launched in Dallas in 2009. Through the Food for Good program, we aim to develop sustainable, social business models that help increase access to nutritious food and provide jobs and skills development in inner-city communities. I also work as an analyst in the PepsiCo Business & Information Solutions division. I’ve worked on PepsiCo social media projects in the past, such as the PepsiCo Social Experiment at the South by Southwest conference and the Living the Promise blog. With each project, I blend video, photography and the written word to share my experiences – and you’ll see that here on Snack Chat too. While I’m blogging, taking pictures and editing videos, I really enjoy eating Tostitos Restaurant Style and Baked! Ruffles.
Danielle Dalheim:
I joined Frito-Lay in August of 2007, and as a Registered Dietitian, I provide nutrition guidance for Frito-Lay’s product development process. In this role, I support the efforts of our Nutrition Steering Committee by writing guardrails for product development and leading Frito-Lay’s health professional outreach program. I also have the opportunity to work on nutrition labeling and provide regulatory guidance for Frito-Lay products. Since I wear a variety of hats working for Frito-Lay’s Research & Development team, you’ll see a little bit from each of my responsibilities come through in my Snack Chat posts! In my personal time, I enjoy running, cooking and spending time with friends and family. SunChips Original is my favorite Frito-Lay snack.
Joe Flowers:
I'm the newest kid on the block in Frito-Lay public relations, working as a senior communications specialist. I support external communications programs with a heavy focus on our digial communications performance and social media activities. I'm a Dallas area native that moonlights as a blogger, foodie, musician and street taco connoisseur. In the rare times I'm not connected online, I'm usually in the kitchen, cheering (and crying) about Dallas professional sports, enjoying live music or running really far distances. . .typically after my newly acquired puppy Ollie. Since starting my job here, I've become enamored with Stacy's Cinnamon Sugar Pita Chips, but my favorite snack is Baked! Cheetos Flamin' Hot.
Katherine Francis:
I am a Registered Dietitian here at Frito-Lay, working on the Nutrition and Regulatory Affairs team. As a member of this team, I get to support the company from several different vantage points: providing nutrition and regulatory guidance to product developers and marketers, working with our Public Relations team to connect with our customers and consumers, and attending and speaking at health professional events and conferences. When I’m not working, I enjoy playing with my darling dog Coco, decorating my apartment, baking, and curling up with a good book - although sometimes it’s hard for me to make myself sit still long enough to do so! I really like spicy and crunchy foods, and I find these two attributes in my favorite Frito-Lay snack, Lay’s Kettle Cooked Jalapeńo Potato Chips.
Aurora Gonzalez:
I’m senior director of public relations at Frito-Lay, focused on media and influencer outreach, stakeholder education and community involvement – primarily for events, activities and news supporting PepsiCo’s Performance with Purpose vision and how we’re bringing it to life at Frito-Lay. Whether I’m helping spread the word about our advances with environmental sustainability, progress in our health and wellness journey or how we celebrate customer/partner/employee activities, I truly enjoy what I do and will share with you my experiences as events and programs take place. When I’m not working, I love to travel – the farther and more exotic, the better! I may live in Texas now, but no matter where I roam, I’ll always be a New Yorker! My favorite Frito-Lay snack is Lay’s Classic.
Michael Karle:
I’m an internal communications manager for Frito-Lay. I live in Plano, Texas, with my wife, Malina, and daughter, Jocelyn. You may not know it, but I’ve worked behind-the-scenes on the Snack Chat team since it launched, and am thrilled to now be able to share Frito-Lay news and stories as part of the blogging team. Outside of work, I try to catch live music events, read good books and even kick back with the good ol’ TV. I don’t discriminate when it comes to Frito-Lay snacks. Lately, I’m loving Doritos Mr. Dragon's Fire Chips (hope the flavor comes back!), Doritos Late Night Jalapeno Popper, Cheetos Cheddar Jalapeno and SunChips Garden Salsa.
Chris Kuechenmeister:
As senior director of public relations at Frito-Lay, I work with our brands to communicate with media and consumers about the exciting new products and marketing programs we are bringing to market. I’ll bring to Snack Chat an insider’s view around the latest news from our brands – from new flavors hitting your stores to our next big ad campaign to plans around the Super Bowl – providing a taste of what happens behind the scenes. While I am a fan of all of our products, I have to admit my favorite Frito-Lay snack is Cheetos. Nothing beats that classic crunch!
Kristin Walsh:
I’m lucky to have a dual role at Frito-Lay, managing both external communications and public relations, as well as internal, employee communications projects. Most of my work focuses on communication technology and digital/social media channels. I launched Snack Chat with our former chief blogger in late 2008 and am excited to now work with a team of bloggers – a great way to share firsthand accounts and personal experiences of the work we’re doing at Frito-Lay. When I’m not “being digital,” I enjoy cooking, working out (thanks to the cooking), being entertained by my little dog, and getting out and about with family and friends. I really love most of the products we make, but my go-to choices are usually Baked! Cheetos and Fritos Original.
Contact the Snack Chat Team: snackchat@fritolay.com
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