TW Garner Food Company, Makers of Texas Pete Hot Sauce, Adds Senior Sales Leaders to its Team

May 13, 2011 WINSTON-SALEM, N.C.-- TW Garner Food Company announced today the addition of three new sales managers to the organization. Dan Plunkett has been named Non-Commercial Sales Manager. Heidi Blaine Hadburg has accepted the position of Key Account Sales Manager and Michael O’Donnell is the new National Account Sales Manager and Corporate Executive Chef (CEC) with TW Garner Food Company. 

“Dan, Heidi and Michael are proven professionals in the food industry, and they will be tremendous assets to TW Garner and our Texas Pete® and Green Mountain Gringo® brand growth.”

.Steve DeCorte, General Manager of Sales for TW Garner Food Company said, “The addition of these three key sales leadership roles will enable the TW Garner Food Company to better align our services with key customers and segment targets. We are continuing to expand our market share in the United States and extend our distribution network to global markets. TW Garner Food Company is making a significant commitment to our customers, providing innovative solutions and culinary excellence.” DeCorte added, “Dan, Heidi and Michael are proven professionals in the food industry, and they will be tremendous assets to TW Garner and our Texas Pete® and Green Mountain Gringo® brand growth.” 

Dan Plunkett, as Non-commercial Sales Manager, will be responsible for customer relationships with convenience stores, airlines, cruise lines, as well as the U.S. Military Prime Vendor program, contract management and group purchasing organizations. He is an accomplished sales manager with 25 years of experience in high-level sales and field management positions for Rich Products and, most recently, Land O’Lakes Incorporated, where he was selected as “Sales Manager of the Year” in 2009. Plunkett is a graduate of Hobart College. 

Blaine Hadburg will be responsible for food service distributor relationships, ingredient sales and emerging markets in her newly-created role as Key Account Sales Manager. She comes to TW Garner from Land O’Lakes where she served as Senior Regional Manager for the Eastern Division and Southeast Sales Manager for the company’s Non-commercial Division. Blaine Hadburg is a member of the Rules and Regulations Committee of the American Commodities Distribution Association (ACDA) and a prominent member of the School Nutrition Association where she served on the executive board. Her food industry certifications include NAFEM Certified Food Service Professional, Serv Safe and HAACP. She has also completed business management courses at Ursuline College and Ohio University. 

O’Donnell will be responsible for expanding TW Garner’s National Account Food Service footprint across the United States and Canada. His diverse background includes more than 30 years of foodservice experience, with 16 years in culinary roles for manufacturers. O’Donnell has worked closely with national restaurant chains, bringing his knowledge, passion and creativity to offer them unique menu solutions that address the competitive challenges of today’s marketplace. He is a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America and holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from the University of Northern Colorado.