Bongards Executive and Leadership Team

Daryl Larson, the President & Chief Executive Officer at Bongards, directs the overarching strategic vision for the farmer-owned cooperative. By aligning production capabilities with evolving market demands for natural and processed cheese, the President & Chief Executive Officer ensures long-term sustainability for member-owners. Daryl Larson oversees high-level corporate governance, fostering relationships with key stakeholders while driving expansion across North American food manufacturing sectors. This leadership role involves constant evaluation of supply chain integrity and product innovation to maintain competitive advantages in the dairy industry. Through rigorous oversight of organizational performance, the President & Chief Executive Officer secures the financial health of the enterprise. By prioritizing operational excellence and cooperative values, the executive maintains the company's reputation for quality. Ultimately, the President & Chief Executive Officer guides the organization toward sustained growth and market leadership within the competitive food manufacturing landscape.

Chris Freeman, the Chief Financial Officer at Bongards, governs the fiscal health and capital allocation strategies of the cooperative. Managing complex financial reporting and budgeting processes, the Chief Financial Officer ensures transparency for all farmer-owners. Chris Freeman evaluates investment opportunities in manufacturing infrastructure to support long-term growth and operational scalability. This leadership role involves analyzing market trends in dairy commodities to mitigate financial risks and optimize pricing strategies. By overseeing treasury functions and capital structure, the Chief Financial Officer maintains the liquidity required for ongoing business operations. The Chief Financial Officer collaborates with executive leadership to align financial goals with the broader mission of the organization. Through rigorous audit processes and financial planning, the executive safeguards the economic interests of the cooperative. Ultimately, the Chief Financial Officer provides the fiscal stability needed to sustain the company's competitive position within the national food manufacturing market.

Justin Larson, the Chief Operating Officer at Bongards, manages the daily production workflows and manufacturing facilities. Overseeing the conversion of raw dairy into high-quality cheese, whey, and butter, the Chief Operating Officer optimizes plant efficiency and safety standards. Justin Larson coordinates logistics across regional distribution networks to ensure timely delivery of products to food service and retail partners. This role requires constant collaboration with production managers to refine processing techniques and reduce waste. By implementing advanced manufacturing technologies, the Chief Operating Officer enhances output capacity while maintaining strict adherence to industry quality benchmarks. The Chief Operating Officer monitors operational metrics to identify bottlenecks and improve throughput across all facilities. Through meticulous management of internal resources, the executive supports the cooperative's mission of delivering consistent value. Ultimately, the Chief Operating Officer drives the operational success necessary to meet the high-volume demands of the modern food industry.

Keith Grove, the President at Bongards, focuses on the commercial development and market penetration of the company's diverse product portfolio. Driving initiatives to expand the reach of cream cheese and butter offerings, the President cultivates partnerships with major food service distributors. Keith Grove analyzes consumer preferences to guide product development cycles, ensuring alignment with current culinary trends. This leadership role involves managing external relations and representing the cooperative at industry forums to bolster brand presence. By coordinating with sales teams, the President identifies new revenue streams and strengthens existing client relationships across the country. The President monitors competitive activity to adjust commercial strategies and maintain market share. Through strategic planning and execution, the executive enhances the visibility of the brand in the food manufacturing sector. Ultimately, the President secures the commercial growth required to support the cooperative's commitment to its farmer-owners and the broader dairy industry.