Leadership Team
Jeff Breazeale
Chairman
Jeff began his career with the Boston Consulting Group, spending much of his time in the consumer goods practice. He left to purchase and transform a division of his third generation family soap manufacturing business into Vanguard Soap, a leading natural and organic personal care manufacturer. He then purchased Valley Products, the family business founded in 1943.
Jeff holds a BA in politics from Princeton University, where he was a varsity rower, and an MBA from Harvard Business School.
Outside of work, Jeff plays guitar with friends and bands, tries to get back in rowing shape on the lake, and avidly attends (with wife Tracey) swim meets for four kids almost every weekend of the year.
Scott Zimmerman
CEO
Scott’s leadership capabilities and business acumen were honed at General Electric. Following GE, his subsequent business leadership roles saw him accelerate organizational scaling by tapping the latent potential in culture, leadership, and team operations to the tune of nearly $1B in value creation. In each setting, he reshaped the organization and reimagined their solutions, creating companies more capable of delivering exceptional experiences for customers.
Scott earned his BSBA from the John M. Olin School of Business at Washington University in St. Louis and has held board and strategic advisory roles for many national, regional and local organizations, including the Young Presidents’ Organization (YPO).
Scott lives in Tampa, FL where he enjoys golfing, kiteboarding and boating with his wife and three kids.
Scott Smith
Vice President R&D
Scott Smith has held positions in all facets of the chemical and personal care products industry from Operations, through Design and Engineering to Research and Development.
During this time Scott has led the design and assembly of multiple production facilities. He has also been responsible for leading the Research and Development effort for new products. This position has afforded him multiple patents in the health and beauty aid and household care arenas. These patents include focus on new types of molecules, new applications for optimized products and process improvements.
Scott earned a BS in Chemistry with a Minor in Environmental Science at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro.
His interests outside of the Chemical Industry include time with his wife and two children, enjoying outdoors activities and pursuing his culinary passions where chemistry helps him to push the boundaries of traditional food and drink.