LEADERSHIP COUNCIL

FaB’s Leadership Council comes together throughout the year. Their role is to help FaB develop deeper industry intelligence and build a dynamic industry network for innovation, growth, collaboration, and support. Our Council members are among the first to offer insights and to take actions to maximize our goals while achieving theirs.

How does a company receive a seat on the FaB Council?
The Council is comprised of FaB’s Executive Board and confirmed food and beverage industry chief officers, presidents, or owners – one each from our Choice, Select, and Premium level member companies – along with an identified industry professional from each of our Premium level service member companies. Learn more about upgrading your membership here.

PAST & CURRENT COUNCIL WORK

• May 5, 2022: The FaB Council hosted a private pre-Mixer proceeding FaB’s Spring Business Mixer. Council members and their guests heard from Tim Sheehy, President of the MMAC. The pre-Mixer and Mixer were hosted by Board & Council member Evan Hughes, co-founder of Central Standard Distillery. Council leaders stressed FaB’s role as an industry business network and the networking of the Council.
• March 30, 2022: The Council met with special guest Secretary Hughes, CEO of the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) to receive an update and insights into the state’s economy.

• October 25, 2021: The Council met and learned more about FaB’s intentions to apply for a WEDC Workforce Innovation Grant. The group also heard a guest presentation by Milwaukee 7’s Executive Director, Jim Paetsch, about the Milwaukee Region’s success at attracting and expanding the Wisconsin food and beverage industry.

• July 26, 2021: The Council met to receive a refresher on FaB’s offerings and direction.
• May 24, 2021: Council met to discuss Wisconsin’s international trade, relationships, and resources with features by Giacomo Fallucca of Palermo's Pizza, Jim Holliday of Chr. Hansen, Tom Benner of Lesaffre Red Star Yeast, Mark Rhoda-Reis of Wisconsin DATCP, Roxanne Baumann of WMEP, Stacy Peterson of Connoils, Jeff Reigle of Regal Ware, and Marc Hill of Stella & Chewy's.
• February 22, 2021: First Council meeting of 2021, featuring new consumer research presented by C.O.nxt and Menu Matters, as well as group discussion on measuring Wisconsin’s food and beverage industry.
• October 22, 2020: Council met to learn of five items being taken to the FaB Executive Board for strategic review to be included in our 2021-2022 Strategic Agenda.
• July 14, 2020: Council met and polled on use of FaB resources leads to 50/50 recommended split of FaB resources to go between, helping members take care of business; and seizing opportunities to lead the industry.
• June 2020: Council spearheaded a food and beverage ceo/owner questionnaire to garner input for WEDC’s Legislative Plan.
• February 28, 2020: Council was reconstituted and met to discuss how IOT can be helpful.

FaB'S LEADERSHIP COUNCIL

MIKE SCHLAGENHAUFER Manufacturing Consultant Acuity Insurance	KIM WALL President Baensch Food Products	SAM MILLER Managing Director BMO Harris Bank
CRAIG BRIESS CEO Briess Malting & Ingredients	EVAN HUGHES Co-Founder Central Standard Craft Distillery	SAM KRIEG Co-CEO Central Storage & Warehouse LLC
MARCY TESSMANN CEO C.O.nxt	THEIS BACHER Senior VP North America Chr. Hansen	ANDY GEHL President Contract Comestibles
LUKE MUSCHINSKE Business Unit Manager Eurofins	GINA BALKE Executive Director FaB Wisconsin	KATHY KOSHGARIAN President Food For Health
PATTI HABECK President Feeding America Eastern WI	RICK LaBERGE Executive VP & COO HARIBO of America	RUSS KLISCH President Lakefront Brewery
SHANE LAUTERBACH President & CEO Lauterbach Group	TOM BENNER President & CEO Lesaffre Red Star Yeast	JEN MORAN Owner & Director, Business Development LMI Packaging
SAM MAGLIO President Maglio Companies	JEFF GENTINE President & CEO Masters Gallery Foods	PAUL BENSON Partner Michael Best & Friedrich
KATIE WESSEL CEO & Co-Owner Milwaukee Pretzel Co.	MATT WESSEL President & Co-Owner Milwaukee Pretzel Co.	LOGAN KRUEGER VP, Food Processing Miron Construction
ERIC OLESEN President & Owner O&H Danish Bakery	STEVE WALLACE Founder & CEO Omanhene Cocoa Bean Co.	KEVIN SCHUELE Owner & CEO PAK Technologies
GIACOMO FALLUCCA Chairman & CEO Palermo's Pizza	JEFF REIGLE Chairman Regal Ware	JENNY DANIELS CFO Rishi Tea
MICHAEL GRAFT Senior Manager RSM US LLP	VICKY WASKIEWICZ Founder & CEO Safe Food Resources	KEITH LINDSEY President & CEO Salm Partners
TED BALISTRERI Owner Sendik's Food Markets	MARC HILL CEO Stella & Chewy's	LISA HEBBE Director, Business Specialists Sysco
ANDY GEHL Co-Founder & President Third Space Brewing	BRIAN DURST Chairman & CEO Tribe 9 Foods	KEITH SMITH President Vonco Products
ARTHUR IRCINK Founder & Executive Producer Wisconsin Foodie	PETER GOTTSACKER President & CEO Wixon