About the Authors
John Holahan, BS, MBA
John Holahan is the President and Founder of SimplyThick, LLC and an inaugural member of the IDDSI Hall of Appreciation. He is also a member of the Canadian IDDSI Reference Group (CIRG) and a founder of the US IDDSI Reference Group (USIRG). Inventor of the company’s patented thickener, SimplyThick, Mr. Holahan has worked with thickeners for his entire business career. Over the last several years, Mr. Holahan has been a strong IDDSI supporter and has published articles and personally spoken to and trained over 3,000 professionals on IDDSI. His IDDSI demonstration videos can be found on TikTok at @SimplyThickJohn.
Laurie Berger, MBA, RD, LD
Laurie Berger is a Regional Manager for SimplyThick, LLC in the Midwest Region. She works with acute, long-term care, and chain accounts, as well as distribution and home healthcare customers by educating on dysphagia, presenting on IDDSI, and teaching uses of SimplyThick. Laurie has worked in the dysphagia area for 21 years.
Laurie earned her Bachelor of Science Degree in Dietetics and Restaurant Hotel Management from Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana, and her Master of Business Administration with a Marketing emphasis from Webster University in St. Louis, MO.
Laurie is a member of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and the Missouri Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.
Paul Haefner
Paul is a Regional Manager for SimplyThick, LLC covering North Texas, Oklahoma, and Arkansas. He represents SimplyThick in this territory working with Certified Dietary Managers, Cooks, Chefs, RD’s, Speech Pathologist, Occupational Therapists, and a variety of Home Health patients and caregivers. Paul worked for Edward Don & Co. Restaurant Supply then joined Dinex International as a salesperson and regional manager. Paul specialized in patient trayline layout/design for improved workflow and efficiency. Paul has worked for SimplyThick since 2011 covering North Texas, Oklahoma, and Arkansas. Paul has developed the IDDSI Cutting Board to connect the details to the person preparing texture-modified food. Paul was also project wrangler for testing recipes and techniques with the Simply Thick sales team during Covid-19 lockdown.
Nancy A. Yezzi, RDN, LD
Nancy Yezzi RDN, LD is a Regional Manager for SimplyThick, LLC in the Greater Houston/ Gulf Coast Area. She works with acute, long-term care, and chain accounts, as well as distribution and home healthcare customers by educating on dysphagia, presenting on IDDSI, and teaching uses of SimplyThick. Nancy has over 25 yrs. experience in healthcare management and clinical dietetics.
Nancy earned a BS in Clinical Dietetics from Buffalo State University, Buffalo N.Y. and is a member of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and the Texas Academy of Nutrition & Dietetics.