We are a team of veteran insect farmers, seasoned agriculturists, dedicated scientists, and pioneering engineers working towards a shared vision of a more sustainable food system.
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David is a veteran insect farmer and entrepreneur with a strong record of innovation and commercial market growth. His third-generation family business, Fluker Farms, started in 1956 in Port Allen, LA and under David’s leadership has grown into an internationally recognized brand as a leading live insect producer and pet product manufacturer. He started Soldier Fly Technologies in 2017 as part of a research collaboration with LSU. David is a pioneer and lifelong advocate of the commercial insect industry and currently sits on the Board of Directors for the North American Coalition for Insect Agriculture (NACIA).
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Becca is an experienced Mechanical Engineer and strong operations professional with a demonstrated history of thriving in agriculture, energy, flight test, and medical industries. She is skilled in Research and Development (R&D), Quality, New Product Introduction (NPI), Lean Six Sigma (Green Belt Certified), project management, programming, and data analysis.
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Ben is an accomplished Mechanical Engineer with demonstrated expertise in automotive, public works, food production, and agricultural industries. He is skilled in project management, design and fabrication, Research and Development (R&D), troubleshooting, programming as well as automation. Ben also works as a College Professor teaching Mechatronics and Robotics where he stays up-to-date on cutting-edge automation technology.
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FounderVance officially joined the Fluker Family insect business in 2017 as Director of Business Development. Fluker Farms is a majority owner of Soldier Fly Technologies. In addition to his lifelong connection to the farm, he brings a finance degree and several years of experience in management and operations to our team. The future of Soldier Fly Technologies looks bright as this third generation insect farmer brings his talents to the table!
"Being a third-generation Fluker, my childhood summers consisted of watching movies in the conference room and gathering pecans from the trees lining the farm driveway. I remember spending holidays with MiMi and Paw Paw Cricket and taking baby pictures with cricket boxes," shared Vance. "For as far back as I can remember, the farm has been a major part of my life. I am grateful for the many diverse experiences I've had and lessons I've learned."
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Paul Parreira is a partner in Parreira Almond Processing Co., LLC, an almond hulling and shelling business serving over 24,000 acres of growers as well as 1,800 acres of their own. He is a partner in RPAC, LLC, an almond processing and marketing company supplying quality California almonds to customers in the United States and over 75 countries globally. Both companies are located in Los Banos, CA. Paul manages strategic planning, business development, sustainability and innovation for both. He is co-founder of HermetiaPro, a Black Soldier Fly vertical farming company, converting agriculture waste products into high protein livestock feed. He is a third generation Agriculturalist with over 40 years of experience in almond farming, hulling and shelling, processing and marketing, and byproduct market development and sales. Paul serves as Vice Chair of CDFA Feed Inspection Advisory Board, Vice Chair of Biomass Working Group with Almond Board of California, and Chair of Co-Products committee with Almond Alliance of California. He is a long-time member of the Merced County Spring Fair Board and helped found the Spring Fair Heritage Foundation. Paul is a graduate of California Agriculture Leadership Program, class of ‘44.
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Sam has worked at Fluker’s for more than 20 years and now a Board Member of Soldier Fly Technologies. As Executive VP, he wears many hats. His main responsibility is sales, but he also plays a big part in marketing, new product development, and general management. One of Sam's favorite things about his job is he doesn't do the same thing over and over every day; there is always a new challenge or opportunity. "Because of those challenges, I've learned that you receive in proportion to what you give, which is true in most aspects of life as well. There’s nothing more satisfying than being involved in the evolution of a new product; from conception through placement, and then seeing the result of your efforts on store shelves across the entire country," shared Sam. When asked how he deals with advsersity, Sam said most would say he throws tantrums but he likes to call it "lively discussion of the adverse situation." (Funny guy!)When asked who the biggest influence on his career has been, Sam explained, "Ironically, it would be David Fluker. He taught me how to argue and deflect blame. Even with our constant battling of wills, I am extremely proud of how far we've come as a company over the past 20 years in terms of both growth and our contributions to the pet industry. I know it's a cliche, but the company has become an extension of my family, with all the associated joy, tragedy, disagreements, and successes." Sam's wife, Suzanne, has been the biggest supporter of his career and everyday life. "I am intuitive, playful, sarcastic, and loyal; she’s the calming influence on my somewhat anxious personality," added Sam. Because Suzanne is an elected official their town, the two are involved in many community activities. Outside of work, Sam enjoys cooking, music, college football, ballroom dancing, golf, fishing, and is even an active participant in the pet industry in his personal life. "Chameleons have always interested me, and I have felt a personal connection with them. Their adaptive natures resonates with my salesman personality!" (What color are you today, Sam?!)
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John is an entrepreneur with experience in several Central California agriculture markets. Raised in a fourth-generation family fruit tree business, he fell in love with the produce industry at an early age and earned a BA in Agricultural Business from Cal State Fresno. John worked in commercial produce procurement for Trader Joe’s and Kroger, then later moved into a role directing sales and marketing in the crop irrigation industry. Prior to joining the Soldier Fly Technologies team, he led business development for HermetiaPro.