Equipped with a Bachelor of Science in Dietetics and a Master of Business Administration, Lea Shappee has found much success as a Registered Dietitian. Her expertise in the dietary field, coupled with business and marketing savvy, has garnered her recognition in many positions. Lea Shappee has been selected as the 2010 – 2012 Sponsorship Chair of the Dietitians in Integrative and Functional Medicine (DIFM) Executive Committee. While at The University of Tennessee-Knoxville, Lea Shappee studied clinical nutrition, medical nutrition therapy, and food science. She completed the program in 1979 and attended the University of Tampa, John H. Sykes College of Business afterwards. Lea Shappee graduated from the two-year program with her Master of Business Administration in 1987. Excelling in leadership and communication, Lea Shappee has been called upon many times to manage business and sales aspects of a company. Employed as a Product Manager for Schering Plough, Lea Shappee worked with dermatologists and pediatricians to supply their patients with proper sun care products. During her time there, she effectively launched 8 new products and increased annual sales volumes of upwards of 25 to 35 percent. Lea Shappee spent 11 years with Mead Johnson Nutritionals in a similar capacity. With Mead Johnson, Shappee introduced 14 new products and consistently placed in the top 5 to 10 percent in regional sales. Later with Tambrands, Inc., Lea Shappee expanded the United States Health Education Division for the company. Within this division, Lea Shappee trained classroom specialists to educate teenagers on the use of feminine hygiene products. Shappee oversaw a $10 million budget and her program netted 1.4 million new customers for the brand. Named Director of Sales and Marketing for R.P. Scherer, Cardinal Health, Lea Shappee oversaw the Nutrition Division. Her job duties included managing the daily operations in the sales, forecasting, and policy-making arenas. Lea Shappee garnered the company a 20 percent increase in sales during the first year. Lastly, Lea Shappee collaborated with Tampa General Hospital physicians to execute educational programs. The Director of Community Relations, Shappee also was responsible for strategic planning and community recognition ceremonies. Notable events include the hospital’s 75th Anniversary Celebration and a Women’s Health Symposium. Lea Shappee is the 2003 recipient of the Managerial Recognition Award.