Brian Numainville, IPC

Principal

Brian Numainville joined The Feedback Group as a Principal in 2012. Prior to joining, Brian held leadership positions at Nash Finch Company, a Fortune 500 food wholesaler and retailer, for 18 years, most recently as Sr. Director of Research and Public Relations, as well as Chair of the NFC Foundation.

Brian’s extensive research expertise includes consumer and customer research, business partner studies, market analysis projects, GIS analysis, and employee surveys, primarily in the retail, wholesale and nonprofit sectors. At Nash Finch, Brian pioneered the initial implementation of geographic information systems, developed the consumer research program, and launched a customer feedback platform in all corporate-owned stores and many independent locations.

At the industry level, Brian has served in multiple thought leadership roles including many years as Chair of the Food Marketing Institute (FMI) Consumer Market Research Committee and as a member of the Program Leadership Board at the University of Minnesota Food Industry Center. A popular speaker, moderator, and commentator, he has led sessions at many National Grocers Association (NGA) Shows, the Produce Marketing Association’s (PMA) Fresh Connections Retail and Fresh Summit conferences, Western Michigan University’s Food Marketing Conference, Food Marketing Institute (FMI) shows, the Minnesota Grocers Association (MGA) Summer Conferences, and the Natural Product Expo, to name just a few engagements.

In addition to research, Brian’s skills include a wide range of public relations experience ranging from press release writing to serving as national corporate spokesperson. He developed and launched numerous cause marketing events in the Twin Cities that generated significant publicity and awareness, and were a significant factor in the selection of Nash Finch/The NFC Foundation as a Jefferson Award Winner during Brian’s tenure as chair. Brian has also served on numerous nonprofit boards focusing on food insecurity, international poverty, and education.

A recipient of the 40 Under Forty Award from the Minneapolis-St. Paul Business Journal, Brian has also been honored with the Alumni of Notable Achievement Award from the University of Minnesota and the WCCO-AM Good Neighbor Award. Brian earned his M.A. in Communication Studies and his B.A. summa cum laude in Communication Studies from the University of Minnesota. He also holds Insights Professional Certification (IPC) from the Insights Association. Brian is the co-author of Feedback Rules!