West Liberty Foods’ president steps into CEO role, among other personnel changes
ASSOCIATIONS/ORGANIZATIONS:
International Food Information Council (IFIC) Foundation, Washington, D.C. Timothy Sellnow and Anna Maria Siega-Riz were named new members of the board of trustees. Sellnow
is a professor at the Nicholson School of Communication at the University of Central Florida. His research focuses on bioterrorism, pre-crisis planning and strategic communication for risk management and mitigation in organizational and health settings. Siega-Riz is a professor of Public Health Sciences and Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Virginia School of Medicine. Her research focuses on the first 1,000 days of life by understanding the influence of maternal weight status, as well as dietary patterns and behaviors in the causes of adverse pregnancy outcomes.
Alliance for Food and Farming, Watsonville, Calif.
Markon president Tim York was appointed as vice-chair, replacing Bryan Silbermann, who is retiring as chief executive officer of the Produce Marketing Association (PMA). Dr. James Gorny, vice president of food safety and technology at PMA, and Kate Woods, vice president of Northwest Horticultural Council, were also appointed to the AFF management board during the annual meeting. Woods serves on the AFF Communications Committee, and replaces Christian Schlect, who is retiring from the Northwest Horticultural Council in March. The board also elected Teresa Thorne as the new executive director, taking over for Marilyn Dolan, who left the organization to pursue other business interests.
American Dairy Coalition, Green Bay, Wis.
New to the board of directors is John Jacobs, appointed as board president. Jacobs is owner and manager of Green Valley Dairy. His tasks as president include ensuring a reliable labor force through immigration reform, roll back overreaching regulations that cost farms money without improving the environment, increasing access to quality healthcare and internet connections for rural farms, improving rural road infrastructure, providing farmer protection from animal rights activists and increasing exports of dairy products worldwide. Meanwhile, Greg Jans was elected secretary. Jans is partner of Co-Jo Dairy, a 1,000-cow dairy operation. Jans will support the use of peer-reviewed scientific safe technology to produce nutritious, affordable dairy products. Walt Moore, president and general manager of Walmoor Holsteins, Inc., was named treasurer. Additional board members Kari Kuehl, director of sales at RP Feed Components, LLC, as executive advisory chairperson; Laurie Fischer, founder of the American Dairy Coalition, as chief executive officer; Jeff Burton, president of Burton Strategies Group, as lobbyist; and Dave Crass, industry group chair, agribusiness, food and beverage for Michael Best, as general counsel.
PROCESSORS/RETAILERS/DISTRIBUTORS:
West Liberty Foods, LLC, West Liberty, Iowa
President and CEO Ed Garrett will step into the role of chief executive officer, with Michael Quint, current vice president and chief customer officer, being promoted to president. Quint joined the company in April 2006 as vice president and CCO, leading the sales, marketing and R&D departments. During his time with West Liberty Foods, he led the team in diversifying customer base and product lines. In addition, he provided strategic visioning and overall leadership in expanding the research and development team and building West Liberty Foods’ brand strength. Quint holds a combined 30-plus years in the meat industry. Meanwhile, Allen Hansen was promoted to vice president of finance and CFO, K. Joseph Swanson was promoted to vice president of operations and Brandon Achen was promoted to vice president of supply chain. Hansen started with West Liberty Foods in 2002, and has been integral to the company’s continued success and the growth of the finance department. He has held roles such as executive director of finance, corporate controller and controller. Swanson brings a diverse background, having been with the company from its inception. He maintains a depth of experience in quality assurance, operations, continuous improvement, finance and human resources. Achen began with West Liberty Foods in 2008, and has advanced new ideas directly facing supply chain challenges. His previous roles include industrial engineer and management roles in the scheduling, purchasing and supply chain departments. Also, Scott Cole will join the company as chief customer officer, and Dominik Teyke will join as vice president of R&D. Cole brings 25-plus years of sales and strategic leadership experience from the Hershey organization. He can be credited with portfolio diversification, business growth and proven sales results. And, Teyke brings over 28 years of protein and product research. He has spent the last decade at Boar’s Head leading the culinary, project management, applied science and product development departments. West Liberty Foods received Refrigerated & Frozen Foods’2017 Refrigerated Foods Processor of the Year award, with Garrett on the front cover.