Ateeco, Inc., the company that makes Mrs. T’s Pierogies, has announced the retirement of Mark Tarzwell, Chief Operating Officer, effective Dec. 31. Tarzwell has been a key leader at the company, especially during the pandemic, helping it stay strong and grow.
During his time at Mrs. T’s, Tarzwell led the Operating Management Team, which includes department leaders who work together to support the company’s goals. His efforts helped the company maintain stability and prepare for future success.
Before working at Mrs. T’s, Tarzwell held important roles at other companies. He was Vice President of Perishable Supply Chain at Ahold, President of Burris Retail Logistics and Honor Foods, Senior Vice President of Non-Perishable Merchandising at Giant Food, and General Manager at D.L. Matthews. He also worked for over 20 years at Acme Markets.
Tarzwell is also known for his dedication to the food industry and education. He is an adjunct professor at Saint Joseph’s University, teaching Food Marketing. He serves as the Treasurer for the National Frozen and Refrigerated Association and is a board member of the Promotion Optimization Institute (POI). He has received awards such as “Male Ally of the Year” from the Network of Executive Women (now NextUp) and the “Lifetime Achievement Award” from POI.
When Tarzwell retires, LeeAnn Smulligan, the Vice President of Operations, will become the new Chief Operating Officer on Jan. 1, 2025. Smulligan has worked at Mrs. T’s for 20 years and understands the company’s operations well.
Tom Twardzik, owner of Ateeco, Inc., thanked Tarzwell for his work. “On behalf of Mrs. T’s, I would like to extend our gratitude to Mark. Mark’s leadership has been integral to Mrs. T’s Pierogies and we are grateful for his dedication and vision. Mark embraced our culture and enhanced it with his unwavering passion to help all our associates succeed. We look forward to his continued leadership and involvement as he supports LeeAnn in her transition and ensures a seamless path for the company’s growth in the years ahead.”
Tarzwell expressed his appreciation for his team at Mrs. T’s. “Working alongside this dedicated, passionate, and values-driven team at Mrs. T’s has made my success in this position possible. It’s been a wonderful ride, and I look forward to seeing the great work that lies ahead under the guidance of LeeAnn and her team.”
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