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CFS Brands recently shared several important updates regarding our leadership team, reflecting our ongoing commitment to growth and excellence.

Doug Paulsen and Melissa Pierce were both promoted to Vice President. 

Doug Paulsen, Vice President - Integration
Doug's leadership has been key to CFS Brands' growth, driving strategic acquisitions and market expansion. He continues to lead the integration of Elite Global Solutions, Winco & G.E.T. (The Foodware Group), Araven, and Mercer Culinary, strengthening our industry leadership.

Since joining in 2016, Doug has advanced from Plant Manager to Senior Director, streamlining manufacturing in Puebla and Guadalajara, which coupled with his expert project management of acquisition integrations, has delivered substantial cost savings and operational efficiencies that have helped to fuel CFS Brands’ profitability and growth.

Melissa Pierce, Vice President - Healthcare
In this role, Melissa will lead both the sales and product development efforts that focus on the healthcare channel. She will also lead the sales growth initiatives across the company with our Group Purchasing Organization customers.

Melissa joined CFS Brands in 2018, quickly rising to Senior Director of Healthcare Channel. Her leadership has driven consistent sales growth through strategic team building, expanded sales coverage, cross-brand collaboration, and improvements to Dinex quality and service.

Meanwhile, Claudio Gutierrez was promoted to Senior Director of Manufacturing. In this elevated role, Claudio will oversee manufacturing operations at the Santa Fe and Batavia plants in the U.S., and the Guadalajara, Puebla, and Chihuahua locations in Mexico. 

Claudio joined CFS Brands in early 2021 as the Plant Manager for the Santa Fe, OK, factory. After a year and a half in that role, he was promoted to Director of Manufacturing for the Mexico region, where he demonstrated exceptional leadership, a deep commitment to operational excellence, and a strong ability to drive results. His experience and dedication have made him a valuable asset to the team, who are confident that under his leadership, the manufacturing operations will continue to thrive.

Finally, a leadership transition was announced: Deb Kau's Retirement and Dennis O'Donnell steps in.

After 26 years of dedicated service, CFS Brands announces the well-earned retirement of Deb Kau, a true legend in the foodservice industry. Deb has been a pillar of San Jamar, long before its acquisition by CFS Brands. She has been the face of the company, building deep relationships with customers and earning their trust with her expertise and counsel. Her contributions are countless, but one of her most notable achievements is designing and being a named patent-holder for the San Jamar Dome Garnish System, an innovation that has become a staple in the industry.

As Trent Freiberg, CEO of CFS Brands, aptly put it, "Deb is considered foodservice royalty." Her impact on large national accounts, industry partners, and colleagues is immeasurable, and her legacy will continue to influence the industry for years to come.

To fill the vacancy left by Deb Kau's retirement, CFS Brands welcomes Dennis O’Donnell, Vice President - National Accounts - Foodservice. Dennis will lead efforts to expand the foodservice end-user base, focusing on national restaurant chains.

Dennis brings more than 15 years of foodservice expertise, including leadership at Marmon and Georgia Pacific, where he cultivated key partnerships with major accounts like McDonalds and Sodexo. His proven ability to align customer needs with operational benefits will drive significant growth for CFS Brands.

These strategic leadership changes underscore the commitment to innovation and growth at CFS Brands. These individuals will play pivotal roles in the company's continued success and in serving valued partners.