Ernst & Young “Entrepreneur of the Year” Douglas Kantner has worked in the culinary arts and food industries for over two decades. In that time, Douglas Kantner has developed a reputation for his skill in taking advantage of opportunities across the globe, successfully driving his companies, Kantner Group and Expro Manufacturing, to strong growth.

Douglas Kantner first took on the responsibilities of a high-ranking corporate position in the food industry in 1990, when he became President of the United States Industrial Products division of the France-based Group Lactalis. Under Kantner’s leadership, this U.S. division of the group increased product sales almost sixfold. He stayed with the company nearly ten years, leaving in 1999.

After leaving the U.S. Industrial Products division, Douglas Kantner founded and became Chief Executive Officer of the corporation later known as Kantner Group, Euro Proteins. Kantner Group, based in Los Angeles, has grown rapidly over the past 10 years. The company specializes in dairy proteins and other dairy products, with ownership of the Chianti Cheese brand of domestic and imported grated cheese. Kantner continues to manage the company as CEO and majority shareholder.

In early 2010, Douglas Kantner took on new responsibilities, becoming CEO of Expro Manufacturing, a Los Angeles-based provider of packaging, ingredients, and custom dry blending for a variety of domestic and global industries, including food, sports nutrition, and health and beauty. Under Kantner’s direction, the 40-year-old company has seen a growth from $2.5 million in annual revenues to $9 million.

Douglas Kantner maintains offices in both his home state of Ohio and his current base in Los Angeles. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Economics from The University of Pennsylvania.