RICARDO ALBU, President

Dick's career spans thirty years of corporate and consulting experience focused in growth strategy planning and implementation. Dick founded Albu Consulting in 1994, a business development firm that assists companies in choosing, planning and taking action on strategic initiatives that lead to the achievement of their growth goals. Prior to forming Albu Consulting, Dick worked seven years as Vice President with a New York City based international business development consulting group where he gained valuable experience across a broad range of industries. During his sixteen years at Nestlé, the world's largest food and beverage company, Dick held senior management positions both in the US and Switzerland, Nestlés worldwide headquarters. He was responsible for the creation and implementation of growth plans for Nestlé products in the US and internationally. Dick's clients benefit from his domestic and international corporate background, coupled with his diverse consulting experiences working for both middle market and large multinational companies. His principle skill is the ability to help companies define and choose business growth opportunities, and then harness the internal and external resources necessary to achieve profitable growth.


ROBERT P. KRIST, Managing Director

Rob has 27 years of experience in the food and beverage industry working at top tier firms such as Cadbury Schweppes and Kraft. Prior to joining Albu Consulting Rob spent the last ten years in senior leadership positions in strategy at Cadbury Schweppes Americas Beverages, working within top management teams to develop and execute corporate and business strategy.

Make Strategy Happen - characterizes Rob’s approach to strategy. He has successfully developed organic and external growth strategies at the corporate and business unit level. His experience in driving organic growth ranges from revitalizing individual brands such as Clamato Clam Cocktail to creating a portfolio growth strategy for Cadbury Americas Beverages. He is also experienced in leading external growth activities to identify, value, approach and negotiate business acquisitions. In working extensively with senior leadership teams, Rob has adopted strategy management practices to help leaders and their organizations achieve their strategic goals.

Rob’s prior work experience includes senior financial planning and business development positions at Mott’s Inc. and various finance positions at Kraft (General Foods).

Rob holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of Colorado and an MBA in Finance from Columbia Business School.


DAVID RUDOFSKY, Senior Consultant

David is a senior consultant of Albu Consulting, Inc. whose strength is in helping businesses solve financial and strategic issues. His prior industrial experience includes 20+ years in finance, strategic planning and consulting, at the corporate, divisional and factory level with Kraft Foods and Altria (formerly known as Philip Morris). He was Director of Strategic Planning for Altria, providing senior management perspectives to strategic issues, including acquisition, divestitures, joint ventures, dividend policy and share repurchase strategy. Previously, he was Cost Manager for Kraft’s largest manufacturing plant and Finance Manager playing an instrumental role in turning around the Jell-O Pudding Snacks line.

David Rudofsky earned his MBA in Finance and Accounting at Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania, one of the top business schools in the country, and did his undergraduate studies at Brown University in applied mathematics, graduating Magna Cum Laude. He is a correspondence chess master, once ranked 40th in the United States, and brings that same level of creativity, strategy and analysis to identifying and implementing fresh solutions to his clients’ business problems.