Golden State Foods Appoints Gary Schmidt to Chief Operating Officer, KanPak U.S.

Golden State Foods is pleased to announce the appointment of Gary Schmidt to Chief Operating Officer, KanPak U.S. Gary will be responsible for all operations activities for the company, including Food Processing, for both the Penn Yan, New York and Arkansas City, Kansas facilities. He will report to Larry McGill, Corporate Vice President and President and Chief Executive Officer of KanPak U.S., and will office in Wichita, Kansas. “We are excited about having Gary come aboard as the new COO of KanPak,” says Larry. “Gary brings a wealth of experience in many operational areas, which will help enhance our company and move it forward for future growth.” In this newly created role, Gary will provide leadership and direction to KanPak’s various operations in the U.S. to satisfy the financial and operational objectives set forth by the company. He will direct the development and implementation of the company’s strategic business plans to promote business growth, cost improvement and customer service. This includes overseeing the activities of Sales and Marketing, Quality Systems, and Product Development groups and setting policy for all operations areas. Gary brings more than two decades of proven performance and achievement in the foodservice industry. He has served in numerous leadership positions at various companies throughout the U.S. and abroad. He began his career in 1993 at Cargill Citro-America in Frostproof and Labelle, Florida, where he served as a Shift Supervisor, Process/Project Engineer, Plant Engineer/Maintenance Manager, Plant Manager, and Customer Solution Manager. In 2000, Gary moved to E&J Gallo Winery in Modesto and Fresno, California, where he served as Plant Manager. In 2002, he moved on to Givaudan Flavors Corporation in Cincinnati, Ohio, Florence, Kentucky, and Lakeland Florida, where he served as Director of Operations in each of these areas. Most recently, Gary worked at Caravan Ingredients (now Corbion) in Lenexa, Kansas and Gorinchem, Netherlands. There he served in a variety of roles including Vice President Operations and Supply Chain, Vice President, Sales National Accounts, Vice President, New Business Ventures and Vice President, Global Supply Chain. Throughout his career, Gary succeeded in leading operations, sales, supply chain, new business ventures and plant management. Originally from Three Forks, Montana, Gary earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Chemical Engineering from Montana State University in Bozeman, Montana and his Master of Business Administration degree from Webster University in St. Louis, Missouri (Lakeland, Florida campus).