Schwan’s Company has appointed Brian Schiegg as the company’s new CEO. He succeeds CEO Dimitrios Smyrnios, who has recently announced his retirement after serving the company for more than a decade of leadership. Schiegg steps into the CEO role following a thorough transition and having most recently served as president of the company’s Consumer Brands business.
“Brian has the full support and confidence of the company’s board of directors and CJ Foods’ leadership to maintain Schwan’s momentum and propel our company to even greater heights in the future. The North American market is critical to our growth strategy, and I personally look forward to working with Brian to achieve our vision of becoming the No. 1 provider of ethnic cuisine in the United States.”
Minsok Pak, Chairman, Schwan’s Company’s board of directors and CEO, Schwan’s parent company, CJ Foods
Schiegg is the seventh CEO in Schwan’s Company 72-year history. He joined the company in January 2021 and has been serving as President of Schwan’s Consumer Brands, a business unit that markets and sells foods from iconic brands such as Red Baron®, Freschetta® and Tony’s® pizza, Mrs. Smith’s® and Edwards® desserts and Pagoda® and bibigo™ Asian-style foods.
During his tenure with Schwan’s Consumer Brands, the division has achieved excellent growth, with bibigo Asian-style foods and Red Baron pizza holding No. 1 market share positions for their respective categories.
Prior to joining Schwan’s, Schiegg accumulated more than two decades of leadership experience in the consumer and packaged goods industry. He previously served as chief operating officer of Ocean Spray Cranberries. He also spent many years in leadership roles for subsidiaries and departments of Mars, Inc. At Mars, he gained a broad range of experience, including in areas such as general management, business transformation, supply chain leadership, procurement, manufacturing, product development and brand building.
Schiegg earned a bachelor’s degree in economics and English from St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minnesota, and a master’s degree in business administration from the University of Southern California.
“I am honored to be chosen as our new CEO. Schwan’s is an extremely strong company with an amazing heritage, and we have built an extraordinary team of very talented people. Together, we will work to build upon our position as a leader in the North American market and continue to pursue our plans for long-term growth.”
Brian Schiegg, CEO, Schwan’s Company
Schwan’s Company based in Minnesota, is a leading U.S.-based manufacturer and marketer of quality foods offered through retail-grocery and food-service channels. Its many popular brands include Red Baron®, Tony’s®, Hearth & Fire™, Big Daddy’s™, Villa Prima® and Freschetta® pizza, Mrs. Smith’s® and Edwards® desserts and bibigo™ and Pagoda Asian-style foods. The company is an affiliate of global lifestyle company, CJ Foods.