Bernell Smithen, MBA

As Founder and CEO of Quicine, I lead the vision, strategy, and execution of an AI-powered kitchen assistant that helps people transform their kitchens into zero-waste spaces. Quicine makes meal planning effortless by recommending recipes based on what users already have, helping them organize dinner parties, and designing custom meal plans aligned to their unique health and lifestyle goals. Key Highlights: - Founded & Built the Company: Partnered with my co-founder to launch Quicine, securing early investor interest and assembling a talented cross-functional team. - Product Strategy & Execution: Overseeing the development of Quicine’s MVP (launching September 2025), including AI-driven meal planning, dinner party planning, and dietary personalization features. - Business Development: Initiated strategic partnerships with food platforms and community organizations to accelerate growth and market adoption. - Leadership & Operations: Built scalable processes, led executive operations, and created a strong feedback loop with early beta testers. - Vision & Impact: Driving Quicine’s mission to reduce food waste and empower households to cook smarter and live healthier.

Pursuing a Master’s in Artificial Intelligence for Business with a focus on applying AI to drive strategic innovation, operational efficiency, and ethical digital transformation. Program Highlights: Developing expertise in machine learning, data-driven decision-making, and AI strategy tailored for business applications. Leading team projects applying Lean Startup methodology to design and validate new AI-driven products, including prototypes and business models. Exploring AI ethics and corporate responsibility, with a focus on deploying AI solutions that balance innovation with fairness, transparency, and social impact. Gaining practical experience through case studies, industry collaborations, and real-world business challenges across technology, food-tech, and sustainability sectors. Building a global network of peers and industry leaders while deepening leadership skills in AI adoption, digital strategy, and change management.

• Promoted early to lead the Service Department of the Silicon Valley General Office. • Successfully led the Service Department remotely during the COVID-19 pandemic, while maintaining the company’s highest quality score rating. • Implemented a Virtual Agent Counter to ensure our Agents received the same level of Service remotely as they would receive in person at the General Office. • Partnered with our Sales Agency/Recruiting Leaders to streamline our Virtual Agent On-boarding process which resulted in faster contract approval. Reducing onboarding time by 35%. • Served as the Digital Ambassador for (3) Regions comprising of 44 General Offices and over 3,000 Sales Agents. Driving adaptation rates for those Regions from 14% to 60% in 10 months. • Reorganized the Service team from a point of service focused work to a work-share focused work resulting in a 60% increase in the team’s productivity. • Proactively collaborate with Sales Agency/Recruiting Leaders to help identify training opportunities for Sales Agents and remedy any operational deficiencies. • Oversee all General Office operations to include facility management w/Property Partners.

• Promoted to the Operations Manager Trainee program. • Led Service Team employees in New Business, Agent Onboarding, New Agent Training while partnering with the CVP of Operations to ensure team members are providing exceptional customer Service. • Serve as a problem solver, handled complex business problems within the General Office by identifying short-term/long-term solutions with an emphasis on process improvement. • Review Agent ledger reports for reversals to ensure our Sales Agents maximized monthly/quarterly incentives. • Completed leadership training to include soft skills development, staff performance management, planning and organizing workflows, staff hiring/development, budget/expense management.

• Conduct financial needs analysis for prospects based on their financial objectives. • Create budget plans for clients looking to implement a saving plan. • Educate clients on importance of tax diversification during retirement. • Create/Implement marketing strategies to promote my services to attract new clients. • Proficient with New York Life Agent Compensation, E-Life, NYLIS, & strong product knowledge • Licensed to sell Fixed Annuities, Life, Health, and Long- Term Care Insurance.

Evaluated all new construction bids and estimates relating to pipeline construction projects in order to create a side-by-side cost estimate on bids submitted. Drafted and reviewed proposal contracts for contracts to be awarded. Conducted pre-award contract review meeting with Contractors to ensure all elements of the scope of work were addressed and budgeted for. Coordinated with Construction Coordinators to forecast required construction inspection. Worked closely with project managers and project controls team to ensure projects remained on budget and on schedule. Dispatched and tracked purchase orders and submitted all change orders as needed. Managed contractors and vendors by establishing a strong business relationship with all constructors & inspection vendors to ensure quality work. Resolved any invoice issues that arise and closed out all projects and purchase orders once the projects were transferred to operations. • Established a standard operating procedure for estimating and requesting purchase orders for all types of inspection, which reduced the cost of inspection charges by $100k per month. • Created a purchase order management system that reduced the amount of purchase orders being exceeded, which reduced purchase order overages by 85%. • Served as the liaison between the corporate office and the field office by managing key stakeholders expectations and providing updates on project release dates & construction updates on over $8 Millions worth of projects.

Evaluated all new construction bids and estimates relating to pipeline construction projects in order to create a side-by-side cost estimate on bids submitted. Drafted and reviewed proposal contracts for contracts to be awarded. Conducted pre-award contract review meeting with Contractors to ensure all elements of the scope of work were addressed and budgeted for. Coordinated with Construction Coordinators to forecast required construction inspection. Worked closely with project managers and project controls team to ensure projects remained on budget and on schedule. Dispatched and tracked purchase orders and submitted all change orders as needed. Managed contractors and vendors by establishing a strong business relationship with all constructors & inspection vendors to ensure quality work. Resolved any invoice issues that arise and closed out all projects and purchase orders once the projects were transferred to operations. • Established a standard operating procedure for estimating and requesting purchase orders for all types of inspection, which reduced the cost of inspection charges by $100k per month. • Created a purchase order management system that reduced the amount of purchase orders being exceeded, which reduced purchase order overages by 85%. • Served as the liaison between the corporate office and the field office by managing key stakeholders expectations and providing updates on project release dates & construction updates on over $8 Millions worth of projects.

Served as an advisor to the Commander on any Chemical, Biological, Radiological & Nuclear (CBRN) threats to the organization. Mentored and facilitated training for over 450 personnel in the organization to ensure our Emergency Response team was always ready to deploy. Conducted inspections of all CBRN equipment in excess of $3million to ensure the highest level of readiness, which guaranteed an 8-12 hour response time. Additionally served as the Public Affairs Officer, responsible for managing the organization’s events/activities while ensuring they were publicized through accurate media outlets. Reported monthly to the Department of the Army headquarters on the unit’s personnel/equipment readiness on behalf of the Commander. • Coordinated media coverage for multiple off-post training exercises that highlighted the unit’s long-range surveillance capabilities, which resulted in the unit’s deactivated being delayed by 24 months due to a mission in Kosovo that required such capabilities. • Managed risks by analyzing the unit’s personnel and equipment shortages to identify critical shortages and mitigated risks to maintain the unit’s combat readiness. This monthly report ensured the unit’s shortages were made known and filled within 60-90 days, which positioned the organization for a higher level of success.

Managed urgent humanitarian assistance operations from nomination to completion and turnover to the government of Afghanistan. Reviewed and assisted with design, developed statements of work, government cost estimates and funding documents. Managed a pool of over 50 contractors that were ranked based on timeliness, cost, and quality of work. Developed a risk management plan aimed at improving security and economic development at the Afghan/Pakistan border to ensure the free flow of both commercial and military traffic along the border. Managed public relations on all major projects to ensure the unit’s mission was properly communicated to the local people of Afghanistan. • Executed mission critical projects that won the unit’s campaign to improve the economic structure of Afghanistan and managed over $5 million in projects to include a border improvement project, 3 schools, over 50 wells, and over 25 miles of roads. • Served as a Contracting Officer Representative for over 125 performance-based contracts in Spin Boldak and Kandahar, Afghanistan. Served as the technical liaison between the contractor and the contracting officer and was responsible for ensuring satisfactory performance and timely delivery as set forth in the contract. • Chaired the Afghan/Pakistan Border Operations committee, managing strategic level projects that stimulated economic reform mitigated risks and improved security at the border.

Supervised the equipment maintenance activities of 45 security vehicles, surveillance equipment and over 300 weapon systems. Inspected maintenance activities and procedures for improved efficiency of operations. Coordinated for the expeditious supply of parts and tools. Ensures that environmental protection procedures, to include spill response plans, are established and followed in all maintenance activities. Developed and monitored annual budget expenditures for repair parts. • Developed a standardized operational procedure for the battalion maintenance program that improved maintenance-reporting procedures by 80%. • Created an effective preventative maintenance program that sustained the training exercise and spared the unit in excess of $85k in annual repair costs. • Maintained positive accountability while managing the transportation of over 50 connex containers and 100 security vehicles valued at over $2million to and from Afghanistan as the Unit Logistics Coordination Officer. • Coordinated the distribution and training of CBRN equipment to battalion of over 450 personnel in preparation for deployment to Afghanistan.

Coordinated & Executed Recruiting Events for Savannah State University, Savannah College of Art & Design, and Armstrong Atlantic State University Army ROTC Program.