Meet the Specialist Nutrition Team

At Specialist Nutrition, our team is made up of passionate experts dedicated to supporting sustainable farming and delivering top-quality nutrition solutions. With years of experience in the agriculture, food, and beverage industries, we work closely with farmers and industry partners to help them achieve their goals.

From our skilled livestock nutritionists to our logistics and support teams, each member plays a vital role in ensuring that we provide the best service and innovative solutions to our clients. We’re proud of the positive impact we make, and we’re here to help you every step of the way.

Stephanie is an experienced animal nutrition specialist with a strong background in dairy and beef feed sales, technical consulting, and farm management. She has worked closely with producers across Wisconsin, providing tailored nutrition solutions and leveraging advanced feed technologies to enhance herd health and performance.

With over a decade of experience in the industry, Stephanie has successfully built and expanded sales territories and developed lasting client relationships. Additionally, her hands-on experience in dairy farm management gives her a practical, results-driven approach to feed solutions.
Passionate about livestock nutrition and farm efficiency, Stephanie is dedicated to helping producers optimize their operations through data-driven decision-making and industry best practices.

Samantha Shapess brings over 20 years of experience in customer service, vendor management, and budgeting/planning to her role as Director of Operations. With a Bachelor’s in Business Administration and an MBA in Finance from SUNY Oswego, Samantha is an expert in cultivating and maintaining strong relationships with vendors, suppliers, and customers. She excels at creating a trusted and collaborative environment that fosters long-term business success.

Raised on a produce farm in Phoenix, NY, Samantha spent her summers working alongside her family, an experience that deeply shaped her understanding of the challenges farmers face.

Beyond her operational expertise, Samantha is an active member of the agricultural community, serving on the Transportation Committee for NEAFA and as a member of the NYS Farm Bureau.

Outside of work, Samantha enjoys spending time with her husband and three children, often outdoors and tending to her gardens. She’s also a proud supporter of her children’s extracurricular activities, including hockey, soccer, and dance.

With over 25 years of experience in the manufacturing industry, Brenda brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the logistics and customer service team. In her current role, Brenda is responsible for booking orders and coordinating timely deliveries to ensure customer satisfaction. Her strong background in planning and purchasing has helped streamline operations and enhance service efficiency. Raised in rural Pennsylvania, Brenda is grounded in values of hard work and dedication, which she applies to her professional life. When not helping customers, she enjoys spending time outdoors and cultivating her passion for gardening.

Doug is an experienced logistics professional with a Bachelor’s degree in Logistics and Supply Chain Management from TU Dublin. With six years of experience spanning sales, customer service, and management in the logistics industry, Doug brings a well-rounded approach to supply chain operations. Born and raised in Ireland, Doug spent two years at Specialist Nutrition’s Irish office before joining our USA team as of January 2025, where he will oversee distribution and vendor relationships for our Mid-West operations.

Jim has dedicated his career to the agricultural industry, starting with a degree in Agricultural Science (Hons) from University College Dublin in 1985. He spent 13 years as General Manager for a leading agricultural merchant before taking on the role of Managing Director at Forage Systems in 1998. Under his leadership, the company evolved into Specialist Nutrition, focusing on providing high-quality moist and liquid feeds to dairy and beef farmers.

With decades of experience in livestock nutrition and feed solutions, Jim remains committed to helping farmers optimize herd performance and profitability.

Paul is a Chartered Management Accountant with over 30 years of industry experience and also qualified as a distiller with the Institute of Brewers and Distillers in 2015. He joined Specialist Nutrition in 2011 as Finance Manager and worked closely with brewing and distilling suppliers as they expanded their businesses. Over the years, he played a key role in developing the company’s operations before being appointed General Manager of Specialist Nutrition USA in 2024 to lead and grow the business in the U.S. market.

In his spare time, he enjoys hiking, camping, and spending time with his family.