LEADERSHIP COUNCIL

Our Leadership Council comes together throughout the year 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

  • April 6, 2023: The Council met at Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin to discuss the results of the talent & wage survey and upcoming events.
  • December 1, 2022: The Council met at Saz's State House to discuss the results of the membership engagement survey conducted in September. 
  • May 5, 2022: The 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
   
THEIS BACHER
Senior VP North America
Chr. Hansen
MARCY TESSMANN
CEO
C.O.nxt 
ANNE COOKSON
Co-Founder
Crustology
   
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
 
JOHN VEIDT
HoAM Plant Director
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 of 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 of 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
MICHAEL GRAFT
Partner
RSM US LLP
       
VICKY WASKIEWICZ
Founder & CEO
Safe Food Resources
TED BALISTRERI
Owner
Sendik's Food Markets
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 
   
 
 

THANKS TO OUR PREMIUM MEMBERS