Ateeco, Inc., producer of Mrs. T’s Pierogies, has announced the retirement of Mark Tarzwell, chief operating officer, effective December 31, 2024.
Throughout his tenure with Mrs. T’s, Mark has been a driving force behind Mrs. T’s operational excellence, fostering growth and profitability especially during the historically challenging times of the pandemic. Tarzwell spearheads the operating management team comprised of all department leaders who develop and align with plans that support the company’s mission, vision and values.
Prior to Mrs. T’s, Tarzwell’s extensive career with other companies took him through pivotal roles as vice president, perishable supply chain at Ahold; president, Burris Retail Logistics and Honor Foods; senior vice president, non-perishable merchandising at Giant Food; general manager at D.L. Matthews; and more than 20 years at Acme Markets.
Currently, Tarzwell is an adjunct professor at Saint Joseph’s University teaching food marketing, treasurer for the National Frozen and Refrigerated Association and a board member of the Promotion Optimization Institute (POI).
Tarzwell’s achievements were also recognized with several awards including “Male Ally of the Year” from the Network of Executive Women, now NextUp, and the “Lifetimes Achievement Award” from POI.
With Tarzwell’s retirement, LeeAnn Smulligan, VP of operations who has two decades of experience at Mrs. T’s, will step into the role of COO effective January 1, 2025. Smulligan’s deep-rooted understanding of the company’s operations and her commitment to its values make her the ideal candidate to lead Mrs. T’s into its next chapter.
Tom Twardzik, second generation owner of Ateeco, Inc., expressed gratitude for Tarzwell’s invaluable contributions, stating, “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.”
“Working alongside this dedicated, passionate, and values-driven team at Mrs. T’s, has made my success in this position possible,” Tarzwell said. “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.”
International Fresh Produce Association (IFPA) announced that Jessica Keller has joined the association and will serve as the vice president of global industry relations.
Keller is the first to serve in this role which was created to align with IFPA’s core commitment to grow member value globally. She will direct and support the association’s global representatives and country councils and committees and lead the implementation of the association’s global portfolio.
“Jessica brings a deep knowledge of the global produce and floral supply chain along with years of experience building relationships with global companies,” said chief membership officer, Miriam Wolk. “She has had an incredibly successful career that has been defined by her leadership, vision, and strategic acumen. She will be a fantastic resource and advocate for our global membership, and I look forward to the impact she will have on IFPA, members and volunteers, and the industry as whole.”
Keller’s most recent role was as chief operating officer at Food Hall Company where she transformed the company through a strategic reorganization. Before that she spent 16 years at Whole Foods Market where she served most recently as the regional vice president of the Southwest Region. In addition to overseeing successful launches of new stores and driving over $1b in annual sales across her region, Keller also created a collaborative culture and mentored regional leadership teams.
“I’m thrilled to be joining IFPA and feel deeply aligned with the association’s mission and purpose which is increasing the consumption of fresh produce and flowers globally,” Keller said.  “Our team of global representatives and I will be focused on continuing to have a positive impact and strong growth within our global produce and floral markets.”
Keller holds a bachelor’s degree in business with a minor in Latin American studies. She is fluent in English and Spanish and is proficient in Portuguese. Her language skills allowed her to navigate the complexities of global operations and sourcing and will contribute to her ability to communicate IFPA value across the global supply chain.
