SweetLeaf® Executives Inducted into Hall of Legends at Expo West
Wisdom Natural Brands® leaders, James A. & Carol May, recognized as luminaries in the natural products industry
On March 11, 2016, in the 5th annual Hall of Legends ceremony at Natural Products Expo West in Anaheim, California, James A. May, Founder and CEO of Wisdom Natural Brands®, the parent company of SweetLeaf®, and his wife and company president, Carol May, joined the prestigious ranks of industry luminaries. This honor celebrates the contributions of influential players who have helped shape the natural products industry and continue to march forward, leading it into the future. The Mays join other inspirational leaders, ranging from retail to research professionals, whose wisdom, perspective, and contributions have guided the evolution and growth of the natural products industry.
James A. and Carol May have led Wisdom Natural Brands for more than 30 years. In that time, it has grown from a small Arizona business based out of their home garage warehouse to an international company that was honored with the President’s “E” Award for its significant contributions to the increase of U.S. exports. SweetLeaf Stevia Sweetener products are the only stevia products consistently winning awards for taste and innovation, having secured more than 21.
The Mays have also been recognized individually for their contributions to business and the natural sweetener industry. James A. May, known as the “Father of Stevia,” has been recognized by the President of Paraguay and the American Stevia Foundation for a lifetime of transformational work in that country. He was also awarded Specialty Food Association’s 2015 Leadership Award in the Vision category, and presented with the Visionary Award from the American Herbal Products Association. Carol has received multiple international Stevie Awards for her innovation and business acumen, including the Lifetime Achievement in Business and Female Executive of the Year. In 2015 Carol received an Arizona’s Most Influential Women in Business Award. These pioneers of the stevia industry have revolutionized the sweetener market.
“The entire team at Wisdom Natural Brands is so proud to congratulate James and Carol May on their induction into the Natural Products Expo West Hall of Legends. They have worked tirelessly for decades to bring stevia to the U.S. and other markets around the world. They have made the health and well-being of consumers the number one priority of the company, and their dedication to SweetLeaf and its mission to make the world a sweeter place is tireless and remarkable,” said Michael P. May, Ph.D., COO of Wisdom Natural Brands. “My parents carefully crafted the foundation that inspires all we do here at Wisdom and we look forward to their continued guidance and inspiration.”
The slideshow of the 2016 Hall of Legends inductees can be viewed here: http://newhope.com/news/hall-
For more information about SweetLeaf, visit SweetLeaf.com. For interviews with company leadership, please contact the names listed at the bottom of the release.
About Wisdom Natural Brands®
Gilbert, Arizona-based Wisdom Natural Brands® is the parent company of two highly respected and award-winning consumer brands: SweetLeaf® Stevia Sweetener and Wisdom of the Ancients® herbal teas. SweetLeaf® is the natural stevia sweetener with zero calories, zero carbohydrates, non-glycemic response, no sugars and NO artificial sweeteners. The only stevia brand to be named a Top Wellness Company and to consistently win numerous global awards for taste and innovation, SweetLeaf is sold in boxes containing 35 or 70 packets, as well as in SweetLeaf Stevia® Shaker jars for easy home use and SweetLeaf SteviaTabs™ Dissolvable Tablets for on-the-go use. SweetLeaf Stevia® Sweetener is available in both natural and QAI certified organic. Offering consumers additional high-quality choices, SweetLeaf Organics are sold in 35 and 70 count packet boxes and shaker jars. SugarLeaf®, also by Wisdom, bonds SweetLeaf Stevia® and cane sugar for a low-calorie sugar alternative that is perfect for baking and cooking. SugarLeaf has 2/3 fewer calories than sugar. SweetLeaf® Liquid Stevia Sweet Drops™ add flavor without calories or carbohydrates to favorite foods and beverages. Sweet Drops™ also have NO artificial sweeteners. SweetLeaf® Water Drops™ add delicious natural flavor to plain or sparkling water. For more information about SweetLeaf products, recipes, the new SweetLeaf cookbook, Cooking with SweetLeaf Stevia®, and more, visit ShopSweetLeaf.com.
Wisdom of the Ancients® herbal teas, from energizing Yerba Maté Royale® to calming Rooibos and Sympacho®, are available in tea bags and come in a variety of refreshing flavors. Select varieties are also available with a touch of calorie-free stevia sweetener.
Wisdom of the Ancients also produces Cream of Coco™, a natural, sustainable bar soap derived from Mbocaya, an edible nut grown on the Paraguayan coco tree. Cream of Coco is great for all skin types and is ideal as a face and body wash. It’s even gentle enough for hand washing delicate fabrics.
SweetLeaf and Wisdom of the Ancients products can be purchased online at ShopSweetLeaf.com or at grocery and health food stores throughout the U.S. and Canada.
