Executive Leadership

Our team possesses one main bond & commonality – everyone, regardless of background (finance, operations, creative or sales) has worked extensively in a successful large business and forged a better way forward – more efficient, more effective, more gratifying – in their discipline independently. Attracting and uniting folks who possess this kind of vision, kinship, and entrepreneurial skills under the Noun banner has been a key ingredient to our culture and success.

Neil Riddell
Founder/Managing Director, Brand Engineering

Neil oversees Strategy, Creative and Product Development for the brands we build,  working closely with the Executive/Mgmt teams and an extended army of talented resources. Neil brings extensive brand development experience having helped many Fortune 500 companies and small challenger brands find success. As EVP during his 20+ years at Crispin Porter Bogusky (Ad Age’s “Agency of the Decade”) Neil founded and led their Product/Brand Innovation engine and was named to Adweek’s inaugural Creative 100—America’s Most Inventive Talent in Marketing, Media + Tech. Prior to CP+B, he spent time working at Ogilvy & Mather, Young & Rubicam, and Foote, Cone & Belding. Neil studied Art Direction & Design at the Miami Ad School and also holds a degree in International Finance & Marketing from the University of Miami.

Shane Sampson
Managing Director, Operations

Shane brings a wealth of operations experience, having spent over 35 years in the grocery industry working at several chains, all of which have deep roots in retail and are often considered the cornerstone of their respective communities. Shane built his career with Albertson’s Inc., working his way up through the company’s ranks, serving as President of both the Florida & Intermountain Divisions and culminating in being appointed Exec Vice President and Chief Marketing & Merchandising Officer. Additionally, Shane has served as Pres of Jewel Osco and Shaw’s and Star Market. He was named Mass Market Retailer’s Merchant of the Year (2017) & Retail TouchPoints Innovator of the Year (2018).

Paul Pennington
Managing Director, Growth

Paul oversees Partnerships and Growth, bringing consumer brand expertise with a heavy emphasis on mass retail sales and distribution. Paul has spent his entire professional career in the CPG industry, beginning as a litigation attorney for the Albertson’s company in 1993. He then founded The Impact Group, serving as EVP of Sales, and grew the company into the 4th largest food brokerage in the U.S. The Impact Group launched some of the most successful challenger brands into mass retail including Keurig, Halo Top, Vital Farms, Lucini Olive Oil, Organic Valley and many more. Today, Paul still serves on the Board of Directors for The Impact Group and is a Board Member at the Gonzaga University School of Law.

Anthony Curci
Managing Director, Investment

Anthony oversees investor and fund operations with over 30 years experience in early stage ventures. He started in licensing with Sideout Sport later acquired by Cherokee, he acquired a skin care business which he merged with a long-time customer, he joined a telemedicine software startup later acquired by Zeiss, he developed a CSR program for Crocs called Soles United donating more than one million pair of shoes to those in need. He joined an agricultural fund startup, International Farming Corp and led the first closing of $180M; a firm today with over $1B AUM. He co-founded Pacific Agricultural Realty, an agricultural fund where he led the capital raise, investor reporting and relations with more than $100M AUM. Anthony received a BA in Psychology from UCLA, an MA in Psychology, and an MBA in Finance from Pepperdine University.