CH Guenther Executive and Leadership Team

November, 2026

Leadership Overview

CH Guenther has 5 executives leading key functions including strategy, financial oversight, operational management, human capital, and market expansion.

Driven by a commitment to culinary excellence, CH Guenther delivers high-quality food solutions to global retail and foodservice markets while maintaining a legacy of innovation and manufacturing precision.

Leadership Roles at CH Guenther

  • President & Chief Executive Officer & Board Member - Rod Hepponstall
  • Chief Financial Officer - Tracy Manning
  • Vice President, Operations & Stephen T Phillipssenior Vice President, Corporate Services & Janelle M Sykessenior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer & Treasurer - Chris RedkeySenior
  • President, Sales & Marketing - Steven Stroud
  • Chief Human Resources Officer - Jackie Cooper
  • Rod Hepponstall - President & Chief Executive Officer & Board Member

    Rod Hepponstall, the President & Chief Executive Officer & Board Member at CH Guenther, directs the overarching strategic vision for the global food manufacturing enterprise. Overseeing the integration of branded and private-label product lines, the President & Chief Executive Officer & Board Member ensures alignment between culinary innovation and market demand. This leadership role involves managing complex relationships with the Board to drive long-term growth across North American and international foodservice channels. By prioritizing operational efficiency and product quality, Rod Hepponstall maintains the competitive edge of the organization within the food industry. The President & Chief Executive Officer & Board Member also fosters a culture of excellence, guiding the executive team toward sustainable expansion. Through rigorous oversight of manufacturing capabilities, the President & Chief Executive Officer & Board Member secures the company's position as a premier provider of baking mixes, sauces, and frozen appetizers for diverse consumer bases.

    Tracy Manning - Chief Financial Officer

    Tracy Manning, the Chief Financial Officer at CH Guenther, manages the fiscal health and capital allocation strategies for the global food manufacturing organization. Overseeing financial planning, reporting, and risk management, the Chief Financial Officer ensures the company maintains robust liquidity to support ongoing manufacturing investments. This leadership role involves collaborating with operational heads to optimize cost structures across the diverse portfolio of sauces, gravies, and baking mixes. By implementing advanced financial controls, Tracy Manning drives transparency and accountability throughout the enterprise. The Chief Financial Officer also evaluates potential market opportunities and investment risks to protect the long-term value of the business. Through precise management of financial resources, the Chief Financial Officer supports the company's ability to meet the evolving needs of retail and foodservice customers. Manning maintains a focus on fiscal discipline, ensuring the organization remains well-positioned for future growth and operational scalability in competitive global markets.

    Chris RedkeySenior - Vice President, Operations & Stephen T Phillipssenior Vice President, Corporate Services & Janelle M Sykessenior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer & Treasurer

    Chris RedkeySenior, the Vice President, Operations & Stephen T Phillipssenior Vice President, Corporate Services & Janelle M Sykessenior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer & Treasurer at CH Guenther, directs the complex manufacturing and corporate service functions that sustain the company's food production output. Overseeing the daily operations of facilities, the Vice President, Operations & Stephen T Phillipssenior Vice President, Corporate Services & Janelle M Sykessenior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer & Treasurer ensures that production lines for frozen appetizers and prepared food solutions meet rigorous safety and quality standards. This leadership role involves coordinating cross-functional teams to streamline supply chain logistics and corporate service delivery. By optimizing manufacturing workflows, Chris RedkeySenior directly impacts the efficiency of the entire production network. The Vice President, Operations & Stephen T Phillipssenior Vice President, Corporate Services & Janelle M Sykessenior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer & Treasurer also manages treasury functions to ensure capital availability for operational upgrades. Through this integrated approach, the Vice President, Operations & Stephen T Phillipssenior Vice President, Corporate Services & Janelle M Sykessenior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer & Treasurer maintains the high standards required for global food distribution.

    Steven Stroud - President, Sales & Marketing

    Steven Stroud, the President, Sales & Marketing at CH Guenther, directs the commercial strategy and market expansion efforts for the company's diverse food product portfolio. Overseeing the sales teams and marketing initiatives, the President, Sales & Marketing ensures that branded and private-label solutions reach key retail and foodservice partners effectively. This leadership role involves analyzing market trends to identify new growth opportunities for sauces, gravies, and baking mixes. By building strong relationships with major distributors and restaurant operators, Steven Stroud drives revenue growth and market penetration. The President, Sales & Marketing also collaborates with product development teams to ensure that new offerings align with changing consumer preferences. Through strategic brand positioning, the President, Sales & Marketing enhances the visibility and reputation of the company in the competitive food industry. Steven Stroud manages the commercial pipeline to ensure consistent performance across all regional markets, supporting the overall mission of delivering high-quality food solutions to a global customer base.
    Steven Stroud

    Jackie Cooper - Chief Human Resources Officer

    Jackie Cooper, the Chief Human Resources Officer at CH Guenther, architects the talent strategy and organizational development initiatives for the global food manufacturing workforce. Overseeing recruitment, employee engagement, and leadership training, the Chief Human Resources Officer ensures the company attracts and retains the specialized skills necessary for culinary innovation and manufacturing excellence. This leadership role involves aligning human capital strategies with the broader business goals of the organization. By fostering a high-performance culture, Jackie Cooper supports the operational success of teams across all manufacturing sites. The Chief Human Resources Officer also manages compensation and benefits programs to maintain a competitive position in the labor market. Through the implementation of robust training frameworks, the Chief Human Resources Officer drives professional growth and safety awareness among the staff. Jackie Cooper ensures that the workforce remains agile and capable of meeting the demands of the retail and foodservice sectors, ultimately strengthening the company's internal capabilities and long-term stability.

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    Frequently Asked Questions Regarding CH Guenther Top Executives and Leadership Team

    Who leads CH Guenther?
    CH Guenther is led by Rod Hepponstall (President & Chief Executive Officer & Board Member), along with executives such as Tracy Manning (Chief Financial Officer) and Chris RedkeySenior (Vice President, Operations & Stephen T Phillipssenior Vice President, Corporate Services & Janelle M Sykessenior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer & Treasurer).
    Who is part of CH Guenther’s executive team?
    The executive team of CH Guenther includes leaders such as Rod Hepponstall (President & Chief Executive Officer & Board Member), Tracy Manning (Chief Financial Officer), Chris RedkeySenior (Vice President, Operations & Stephen T Phillipssenior Vice President, Corporate Services & Janelle M Sykessenior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer & Treasurer) and other senior executives.
    How many executives does CH Guenther have?
    CH Guenther has 5 executives leading key business areas.
    What roles are included in CH Guenther’s leadership team?
    The leadership team of CH Guenther includes roles such as President & Chief Executive Officer & Board Member, Chief Financial Officer, Vice President, Operations & Stephen T Phillipssenior Vice President, Corporate Services & Janelle M Sykessenior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer & Treasurer, President, Sales & Marketing, Chief Human Resources Officer.