Levangie Named President and Chief Operating Officer
Quincy, MA – Bay State Milling Company continues to move forward with its strategy to grow and diversify its grain-based food solution capabilities. As part of those efforts, Bay State has placed a strong emphasis on enhancing and extending its organizational capabilities. With those goals in mind, the Company recently announced some exciting changes in its management team.
The Board of Directors of Bay State led by its Chairman, Bernard J. (Buck) Rothwell has elected Peter F. Levangie, 39, as President and Chief operating Officer of the Company, effective January 1, 2009. As a result of this change, Pete will have accountability for all functional areas of the Company. Brian Rothwell, one of five, fourth generation Rothwell owners, will remain Chief Executive Officer with a focus on positioning the Company for strategic growth and helping to ensure Bay State remains in private hands.
“This management change comes at a time of unprecedented opportunity and risk in the food system,” said Brian G. Rothwell, Chief Executive Officer of Bay State Milling Company. “Due to the hard work and ingenuity of the entire management team in the last few years, Bay State Milling is operating in this environment with strong forward momentum. Our strategy is on target and the team is in place to continue to successfully execute it. Pete has been a key driver of our long term plan and its execution. The Board is confident that he has the energy, smarts and values to lead our team.”
Mr. Levangie first joined Bay State in September of 2005 as Vice President of Strategic Planning. He then assumed the additional responsibility of running Sales and Marketing in 2006. In November of 2007, he was named Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. Mr. Levangie’s focus at Bay State has been on leading the Company into new areas of growth, renewing its focus on continuous improvement every day and extending the Company’s management talent to support its strategic focus on developing innovative and high-quality grain-based food solutions.
Before coming to the Company, Mr. Levangie was Chief Operating Officer of EFS Network, the supply chain solutions network for the foodservice industry, which he helped found in 2000. He began his career with Cargill, Inc. where he held various merchandising and general management positions. Mr. Levangie graduated from Dartmouth College in 1991 and earned his MBA from Harvard Business School in 1997. He grew up in Dedham, MA and attended the Roxbury Latin School. He now resides in the Boston area with his wife and three children.
Another key change announced was the appointment of Jim Wilmes, who has been with the Company for over twenty-seven years, to President of Rocky Mountain Milling, LLC, a joint venture, majority owned by Bay State Milling. As Executive Vice President of Supply Chain Services, Mr. Wilmes will head up the areas of grain procurement, logistics, commodity risk management and quality assurance for the Company.
About Bay State Milling Company
Since 1899, Bay State Milling has proudly provided exceptional quality flour and grain-based food solutions to a variety of market channels throughout the food system. Bay State Milling remains one of the largest family owned grain-based food companies in North America with seven production facilities located across the country. The Company’s headquarters is in Quincy, MA. It is a leader in whole grain, organic and other specialty ingredients.