ROME, Ga. – September 18, 2018 – G&L Holdings, Inc., the holding company of leading food ingredient manufacturers Grain Craft and Southeastern Mills, announced today the appointment of three new board members to their board of directors. Rhonda Jordan, Steve Dunphy and Rick Strait were selected as independent directors in the holding company’s decision to expand and diversify its board make-up.
The decision to add independent board directors was a strategic step in the growth of the existing business platforms. While the company has grown organically over the past 25 years, the new directors were added to continue the long-term growth plan, advise on new acquisition and expansion opportunities and create value for all stakeholders through overall consumer and product insight.
“The family leadership is entering into a generational shift as the fourth generation is becoming an integral part of future decisions. By bringing in leaders outside of our existing companies, we can continually challenge our ideas and assumptions, improve our governance and professionalize our overall board management,” said Chris Labbe, VP of Business Development and board director with G&L Holdings, Inc.
The three new board members bring a range of career experiences and expertise.
Rhonda Jordan is a retired executive of Kraft Foods. During her 25-year career, she served in a variety of executive positions including operating president of three different divisions – U.S. Cheese, Grocery and Frozen Pizza. She also served as president – global health and wellness and sustainability. Jordan has benefited from a wide range of roles throughout her career at Kraft including functional leadership in division sales, finance, operations, research and development, logistics and strategy group. Currently Jordan serves on the board of directors for Colfax Corporation, Ingredion Inc. and Bush Brothers & Co.
Steve Dunphy joins the G&L board following a career of more than 30 years in the consumer goods industry with Land O’Lakes, Kellogg’s, Pillsbury and Procter & Gamble. Dunphy began his career at Procter & Gamble where he held positions in Sales, Marketing and Product Supply, eventually touching all P&G’s business sectors. He also served as a senior executive at Pillsbury and Kellogg’s. Most recently, he was chief operating officer for the Land O’Lakes Dairy and Egg businesses which included the retail, foodservice and ingredient portfolios. Currently Dunphy serves on the board of directors for Wells Enterprises.
The third new board member, Rick Strait, offers a strong background in private debt and equity investment. He retired in 2017 from 35 years with Northwestern Mutual Capital where he was a full-time portfolio manager and held roles as a senior leader. Under his leadership, the private equity fund portfolio shifted its strategy heavily into the middle market, expanded into Europe, and established strong relationships with world-class private equity firms. Currently Strait serves as senior advisor for NMC’s private equity investment program and is a board member of the Jewish Home & Care Center Foundation where he is chair of the investment committee.
“Each of the new directors bring a unique set of experience and leadership qualifications. Most importantly they are aligned with our high performance culture and vision for success. We are pleased to welcome Rhonda, Steve and Rick to G&L,” said Linda Owens, president of G&L Holding, Inc.
About G&L Holdings, Inc.
G&L Holdings, Inc. was formed in 2014 as a holding company of Grain Craft and Southeastern Mills. In 2001 the Grizzard family shareholders and the Labbe and Kerr family shareholders joined to form a joint venture of the two families’ flour milling operations – Milner Milling and Pendleton Flour Mills. In 2014, after the official holding company was formed, they acquired the Cereal Food Processors family of mills, making the expanded milling operation the third largest flour milling company in the United States. The three companies were merged and named Grain Craft, and today operate 14 mills in eight states spread coast to coast. G&L also oversees operations of Southeastern Mills, a manufacturer of food ingredient systems and nationally distributed retail brands including Better Than Bouillon, Louisiana Hot Sauce, Southeastern Mills, Shore Lunch and Better Than Gravy. G&L Holdings is currently one the largest privately-held food ingredient suppliers in the United States serving food service companies, food processing companies, restaurants and consumers. To learn more visit www.graincraft.com.
Media Contacts:
G&L Holdings
Chris Labbe, Vice President of Business Development / Board Director
706-290-8319
Southeastern Mills
George Manak, Vice-President of Business Development
706-291-6528, x1159
Grain Craft
Natalie Faulkner, Sr. Communications Manager
423-933-2380