Klement Sausage Co. Inc. announced that Tom Danneker has been named the company President and Chief Executive Officer, effective January 1, 2018. Danneker, who previously held executive and senior level positions with Smithfield Foods, Vista Casings and Johnsonville Sausage, succeeds former Klement’s President and CEO Raymond Booth, who stepped down from his day-to-day leadership role of the company and moved into an advisory role, continuing to serve the company until early May 2018 when he will officially retire.

“It has been an honor to lead the talented and passionate Klement’s team,” stated Booth. “Wisconsin is where I call home and I loved being part of Klement’s 60+ year history of making great sausage products in the city of Milwaukee. While planning for this leadership transition and my retirement, Klement’s has diligently sought the right CEO to lead the company through this next phase of continued growth. Tom is an experienced and proven executive with a wealth of industry experience, and I know that I leave the company in good hands.”

“I’ve been a fan of Klement’s products throughout my 25 years in the meat industry,” said Danneker. “I have a deep respect for Klement’s commitment to making exceptional sausage and their strong ties with local communities throughout Wisconsin. Being a University of Wisconsin-Madison graduate and a resident of Wisconsin for most of my life, I understand the passion and dedication that the Klement family and all our current and former employees have shared to make Klement’s one of the leading sausage brands in the US. I look forward to continuing to grow Klement’s strong position in Milwaukee and Wisconsin and to sharing our love of sausage with consumers throughout the country.”

Source: Klement’s Sausage