Goldman Sachs is recognizing Thomas L. "Tom" Manuel, co-founder and CEO of NuTek Food Science, as one of the 100 Most Intriguing Entrepreneurs of 2015 at its Builders + Innovators Summit in Santa Barbara, California.

Goldman Sachs selected Manuel as one of 100 entrepreneurs from multiple industries to be honored at the two-day event. Tom is a food and agricultural industry veteran with more than 45 years of management experience in the space, including over 26 years at ConAgra Foods. The mission of NuTek Food Science is to improve global health and wellness through healthier food ingredients. The company's lead product is NuTek Salt, a disruptive innovation that takes a naturally-occurring mineral, potassium salt, and through a proprietary process, offers a healthier salt solution. It is a breakthrough in sodium reduction for the global food system to address the pervasive use of sodium salt in almost every manufactured food product across all food categories.

"I greatly appreciate this acknowledgement by Goldman Sachs, and I am excited to participate in the 2015 Builders + Innovators Summit," said Tom Manuel. "NuTek Salt is addressing a serious global need to reduce sodium consumption as a macro-societal health imperative. We are proud of the momentum we have in improving the food system using our revolutionary technology."

"We are honored to recognize Thomas L. Manuel as one of the most intriguing entrepreneurs of 2015," said David Solomon, co-head of investment banking at Goldman Sachs. "This is an exciting time for entrepreneurs. This is the fourth year that we've hosted the Builders + Innovators Summit and continue to be amazed by what happens when a diverse group of seasoned and emerging business leaders – the builders and innovators – come together to discuss how to drive innovation, create jobs, and build enduring organizations."