American Dehydrated Foods names president

Last edited 1:32 p.m., Dec. 3, 2012

A 25-year employee of American Dehydrated Foods Inc., International Dehydrated Foods Inc. and Food Ingredients Technology Co. LLC has been named president.

Mike Gerke, who most recently served as senior vice president and chief operating officer for the companies, began working Nov. 1 as president, according to Chantel Gebhard, vice president of human resources.

The selection marks a restructuring for the companies founded by Bill Darr. Each company harnesses proteins for production in premium pet foods or for human consumption.

Kurt Hellweg - Darr's son-in-law - had served as president and CEO of the companies Nov. 1, 2004, to Nov. 1 of this year. Now, he has retained the rank of CEO, a position that functions as a liaison between the president and the board, Gebhard said.

She said Gerke is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the companies, making sure the strategic goals are realized and leading the senior management team.

"We will strengthen our investment in research and talent to continue offering our customers the greatest value and products in the marketplace," Gerke said in a news release. "To accomplish this, we must increase our focus on new product and service innovation that drives growth domestically and abroad, while addressing the changing needs in today’s global market.”

The privately held companies generate roughly $200 million in annual revenues and employ about 500, according to Springfield Business Journal archives.[[In-content Ad]]