Ron Dunford Was Named President and CEO of Schreiber Foods in Should Articulate What Those Values Adapt to Evolving Consumers but Do So 2019

CHEESE MARKET NEWS® — March 6, 2020

Ron Dunford was named president and CEO of Schreiber Foods in should articulate what those values adapt to evolving consumers but do so 2019. He is Schreiber’s eighth president and CEO. are. Hoever, it’s more than words on in a well-coordinated fashion so we’re Dunford has more than 35 years of experience in the dairy industry with a plaque or statements on a wall; our not just chasing fads. Additionally, roles in operations, sales/marketing and general management. He joined “core values” are represented and never believe in “good enough,” and Schreiber Foods in 1996 at the Green Bay, Wisconsin, home offi ce. He was communicated by our actions. Oth- always be looking to solve the custom- named a vice president in 2000, senior vice president in 2002, president ers will calibrate the appropriateness er’s problem, not yours. and chief operating offi cer of Schreiber chain sales in 2003, president and of their own behavior based on the chief operating offi cer, operations, in 2006, and president Schreiber US in actions of the leader. 2014. Additionally, he was elected to the Schreiber Foods board of direc- tors in 2003. What would you cite as an During his tenure, Dunford has helped set the vision and execute the They say “you learn from example of a time where strategy that has resulted in company records for revenue, volume, profi t, your mistakes” …. please Q your company showed product quality and safety. He also led the implementation of process ex- Q share an example where innovation and leadership in the cellence, lean manufacturing, the utilization of risk management tools and this was relevant for you? dairy marketplace? the integration of new product categories into the company. Dunford earned a bachelor’s degree in Geology from Utah State Uni- My mistakes have been We were on the leading edge versity in Logan, Utah. TNTC (too numerous to of the industrywide food He and his wife Dana have two grown sons and three grandchildren. count). I’ll simply share safety initiative to ensure the They are also heavily involved in the community and church activities, and A A that meaningful lessons, change and dairy industry worked together to pro- enjoy sporting activities of all kinds. growth have come from the mistakes tect the consumer. We’ve hosted indus- I’ve made. The key is to not “waste the try food safety workshops and shared mistake” by not learning the lesson. our key learnings and best practices. What advice would you What are the most give someone going into important decisions you Q a leadership position for Q made/have made as a the fi rst time? leader of your company? What has been your Please discuss the benefi ts favorite thing about of collaboration among Q working in the cheese Q industry leaders versus Leadership isn’t a title, it’s Two of the most impor- and dairy industry? the need to “protect your brand.” the ability to infl uence. You tance decisions for me have have to earn the trust and always been about strat- A A This is a great industry, and egy and talent. Strategy is knowing This is a simple one … it’s respect of your team every day. Listen when we work together on where, with what and how the orga- the people! From dairy farm- and learn from everyone you meet. No a “pre-competitive” basis to nization will win. Talent is about ers through the supply chain A one becomes a great leader by chance; A solve common challenges, we all win. like any other skill, you have to prac- getting the right people, doing the all the way to the customers, I’ve had Examples are food safety, health and tice daily. Be the kind of leader you right things, at the right time. Get the honor of working with some truly nutrition communication and animal want to be led by. the strategy and talent right, and you amazing people. welfare. greatly increase your odds of success. What is one characteristic What, in your opinion, that you believe every What are some of the key does the dairy industry Q leader should possess? How do you encourage concepts that supported Q need to do to attract the creative thinking within Q the long-term success of next generation of leaders? Q your organization? your company? Integrity. People will follow leaders they trust. Trust is The industry should be known A the foundation upon which I encourage our team to This is our 75th year as a as innovative, fun and for mak- everything is built (partnerships, rela- come to work every day with company, and we’ve certain- A ing a positive impact in the tionships, great companies, etc.). The A a belief that there is a bet- A ly had challenges throughout world. The next generation wants to be best way to establish trust is through ter way of doing our work. We may the journey; however, we’ve also had part of something bigger than themselves. consistency of your actions and by not fi nd a better way every day, but if our share of success. Among the key Also, we should be known for being a doing what you say you will do. we look hard enough, sooner or later, concepts contributing to our success great developer of leadership talent. we’ll discover new approaches. I also are having passionate partners with an encourage “simplicity” and to get cre- ownership mentality, being customer What is the biggest ative in fi nding simple solutions to obsessed and continually looking for a challenge facing the complex problems. better way of doing things. Have you fostered certain Q dairy industry today? habits throughout your Q career that have encouraged/ promoted your company’s success? Consumer preference chang- How do you communicate What advice do you have es, other products compet- your company’s “core for adapting in an ever- A ing for share-of-stomach and Q values” and encourage Q evolving marketplace? I often teach my fi ve per- geo-political challenges. Much of the others to do the same? sonal success principles: challenge comes from misinformation A (1) dream big (2) expect about the benefi ts and nutritional value Have organizational agility. success (3) take action (4) play fair of dairy products. By the way, not First, it’s important to be The word agility is defi ned as and (5) have fun. If you have a habit much has changed with this list during “intentional” about the A “quick and well-coordinated of doing these things, you’re on the the last 35 years. A values we want, and we movement.” We have to be quick to right path toward success. CMN