WINSTON-SALEM, N.C., April 19,
2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Garner Foods, makers of Texas
Pete® sauces and Green Mountain Gringo® salsa and tortilla strips,
announced today that Ann Garner
Riddle will retire from her role as President and Chief
Executive Officer effective December 31,
2024, after a distinguished and impactful 14 years serving
as CEO and nearly 53 years with the company. In July of this year
Garner Foods® Board of Directors will embark on a search for a new
CEO evaluating both internal and external candidates. It was also
announced today that Heyward Garner, Chief Operations Officer, will
expand his role assuming the position of Chairman of the Board.
Ann Garner Riddle is the last of the
third generation of the Garner family to retire from Garner Foods
leaving the leadership of the company now fully in the hands of the
fourth generation of the family.
Reflecting on her decision to retire, Riddle expressed her joy
in serving as President and CEO of Garner Foods saying, "One of my
favorite things to say about working at Garner Foods is, I love
what I get to do every day! I am so thankful for the opportunity to
work alongside every team member. Together we have made Garner
Foods a stronger organization. We are an organization that will
remain family owned and managed. We are an organization that will
continue to grow and serve our customers and consumers the very
best products, that enhance the total food experience of every
single person who enjoys our products."
Riddle started with the company January
2, 1972, working in Quality Control, learning the ropes from
her father, uncles, and numerous employees along the way. She has
worked in almost every department in Operations from Product
Development to working on production lines. She became the
company's first IT person, bringing in the first computers to
modernize the business and its operations.
Under Riddle's leadership the company has flourished, expanding
its products lines, entering new markets, and solidifying its
position as a brand leader in the food industry. Looking ahead
Riddle stated, "The future of Garner Foods is bright. Our fourth
generation of family members are solidly in place to manage and
grow Garner Foods; and they are proudly raising the fifth
generation of family members who will one day run the company. In
2029, Garner Foods will celebrate her 100th Anniversary.
What a joyful time that will be for all of us!"
The company also announced today the establishment of a new
foundation. Riddle will serve as Chairman of the Board of the
foundation spearheading the long-standing philanthropic initiatives
of the company. The vision of helping other began with the first
and second generations of the Garner family and had grown during
the leadership of the third and fourth generations. Along with the
foundation the company has committed to an employee match program
that will double employee donations annually.
The fourth generation of the Garner family praised Riddle's
leadership and looked toward the future. "I don't have the words to
express how proud I am of Ann," stated Heyward Garner. "I'm excited
to see her flourish in her new role, helping us stand up a
foundation. Philanthropy has been close to Ann's heart for as far
back as I can remember. Ann is my aunt. I spent my whole life
growing up with her in our factory and around the dinner table. Ann
and my mother enjoyed the miniatures hobby together. Ann and her
husband Arthur are fervent railroad aficionados. They follow and
cheer proudly for NC State's basketball
and football teams. I know that Ann and Arthur will continue to
share these loves with their family and friends, and I hope she
finds joy and peace in her retirement years."
"I'm proud to have served under Ann's leadership for these last
nine years," says Matt McCollum,
Chief Financial Officer. "She made great progress strengthening
this organization for success. She will be a true asset in leading
the new foundation as she continues to care for our community."
Calen Butler, Director of
Financial Planning and Analysis stated, "It has been exciting to
watch Garner Foods grow, change, and prosper under Ann's
outstanding leadership. She is retiring at a time when the company
has never been stronger while also leaving many incredible growth
opportunities for her successor. The foundation will flourish under
her care; her long-standing involvement and passion for charity is
invaluable."
Riddle will remain on Garner Foods Board of Directors and
Advisors along with previously retired members of the Garner
family, Hal Garner, Frank Sherrill, and Glenn Garner.
About Garner Foods
Headquartered in Winston-Salem, NC, Garner Foods is a family
owned and managed manufacturer famous for its Texas
Pete® Hot Sauce, a leading brand of hot sauce in the
U.S. Founded in 1929 as a maker of barbecue sauce, the company now
sells a full line of hot sauces, wing sauces, and seafood sauces
under the Texas Pete® brand, as well as salsas and
tortilla strips under the Green Mountain Gringo® brand.
Garner Foods products are sold in supermarkets, military
commissaries, convenience stores, and restaurants throughout the
U.S. as well as internationally. Green Mountain Gringo®
Salsa was named best store-bought salsa by the TODAY show in
June 2022.
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SOURCE Garner Foods