Ensign-Bickford Industries Inc Executive and Leadership Team

September, 2026

Leadership Overview

Ensign-Bickford Industries Inc has 7 executives leading key functions including strategy, information technology, human resources, and operational management.

Focused on multigenerational growth, Ensign-Bickford Industries Inc advances global science and technology leadership across pet food science, space, defense, and diagnostic solutions through a unified operating system.

Leadership Roles at Ensign-Bickford Industries Inc

  • President & Chief Executive Officer - Brad Ellis
  • Group President - William Welch
  • President, EBAD - Jennifer Lewis
  • President, AFB International - Dale Spence
  • Chief Information Officer - Brendan Kehoe
  • Executive Assistant To the Chief Human Resources Officer and the Vice President of EBOS - Nancy Hegele
  • Chief People Officer - Natalia Hess
  • Brad Ellis - President & Chief Executive Officer

    Brad Ellis, the President & Chief Executive Officer at Ensign-Bickford Industries Inc, directs the overarching strategic vision for the entire conglomerate. Overseeing the integration of pet food science, space, defense, and diagnostic solutions, the President & Chief Executive Officer ensures alignment with long-term growth prospects. This leadership role involves managing the shared operating system that unifies diverse business units across global markets. By prioritizing innovation and operational excellence, Brad Ellis drives the company toward sustainable market leadership. The President & Chief Executive Officer maintains constant communication with the Board to refine corporate objectives and capital allocation strategies. Through rigorous oversight of high-technology investments, the President & Chief Executive Officer secures the future of the organization. Ultimately, the President & Chief Executive Officer fosters a culture of excellence that supports the mission of delivering advanced solutions to complex global challenges.

    William Welch - Group President

    William Welch, the Group President at Ensign-Bickford Industries Inc, manages the operational performance and strategic growth of key business units within the conglomerate. Overseeing the execution of business plans across diverse high-technology sectors, the Group President ensures that each division meets its performance targets and contributes to the overall success of the company. This leadership role involves optimizing resource allocation and driving cross-functional collaboration to maximize market impact. By monitoring industry trends in space, defense, and diagnostic solutions, William Welch drives the development of new growth opportunities. The Group President works closely with the CEO to translate corporate strategy into actionable operational goals. Through the oversight of regional market expansion, the Group President strengthens the global footprint of the organization. Ultimately, the Group President ensures that all business activities remain consistent with the core values and long-term vision of the company.

    Jennifer Lewis - President, EBAD

    Jennifer Lewis, the President, EBAD at Ensign-Bickford Industries Inc, leads the strategic direction and operational execution of the space and defense division. Overseeing the development of critical technologies for aerospace and defense applications, the President, EBAD ensures that the division maintains its status as a leader in high-technology solutions. This leadership role involves managing complex engineering projects and ensuring compliance with rigorous industry standards. By driving innovation in mission-critical systems, Jennifer Lewis supports the company's commitment to the future of the world. The President, EBAD collaborates with other business unit leaders to leverage the shared operating system for improved efficiency. Through the management of large-scale contracts and partnerships, the President, EBAD drives revenue growth and market expansion. Ultimately, the President, EBAD ensures that the division delivers reliable, high-performance solutions that meet the evolving needs of global defense and space customers.

    Dale Spence - President, AFB International

    Dale Spence, the President, AFB International at Ensign-Bickford Industries Inc, directs the global operations and strategic growth of the pet food science division. Overseeing the research, development, and production of advanced pet food ingredients, the President, AFB International ensures that the division remains at the forefront of the industry. This leadership role involves managing international supply chains and expanding the market reach of pet food science solutions. By fostering innovation in palatability and nutrition, Dale Spence drives the competitive advantage of the division. The President, AFB International works to integrate the division's activities with the broader corporate operating system to ensure consistency and excellence. Through the management of key client relationships and market expansion initiatives, the President, AFB International supports the company's multigenerational growth goals. Ultimately, the President, AFB International delivers high-quality, science-based solutions that enhance the pet food market globally.

    Brendan Kehoe - Chief Information Officer

    Brendan Kehoe, the Chief Information Officer at Ensign-Bickford Industries Inc, architects the digital infrastructure supporting global science and technology operations. Managing enterprise-wide data security and information systems, the Chief Information Officer ensures seamless connectivity across pet food science, space, and defense divisions. This leadership role involves implementing advanced analytics to optimize business processes and enhance decision-making capabilities. By modernizing technology stacks, Brendan Kehoe drives efficiency and scalability throughout the organization. The Chief Information Officer collaborates with other C-suite leaders to align digital transformation initiatives with the broader corporate strategy. Overseeing the protection of critical intellectual property, the Chief Information Officer mitigates cyber risks while enabling rapid innovation. Through the deployment of robust information systems, the Chief Information Officer supports the company's commitment to maintaining a competitive edge in high-technology sectors across international markets.

    Nancy Hegele - Executive Assistant To the Chief Human Resources Officer and the Vice President of EBOS

    Nancy Hegele, the Executive Assistant To the Chief Human Resources Officer and the Vice President of EBOS at Ensign-Bickford Industries Inc, coordinates administrative operations for critical human capital and operational excellence functions. Facilitating communication between the Chief Human Resources Officer and the Vice President of EBOS, the Executive Assistant To the Chief Human Resources Officer and the Vice President of EBOS ensures the smooth execution of organizational development initiatives. This leadership role involves managing complex scheduling, documentation, and project tracking to support the company's shared operating system. By streamlining workflows, Nancy Hegele drives productivity within the HR and EBOS departments. The Executive Assistant To the Chief Human Resources Officer and the Vice President of EBOS maintains high standards of confidentiality and professional excellence. Through meticulous attention to detail, the Executive Assistant To the Chief Human Resources Officer and the Vice President of EBOS enables leadership to focus on strategic talent acquisition and operational efficiency.

    Natalia Hess - Chief People Officer

    Natalia Hess, the Chief People Officer at Ensign-Bickford Industries Inc, designs and executes the global talent strategy to support the company's high-technology mission. Overseeing recruitment, employee development, and organizational culture, the Chief People Officer ensures the workforce remains aligned with the core values of the conglomerate. This leadership role involves building robust human capital frameworks that span pet food science, space, and defense sectors. By fostering an inclusive and high-performance environment, Natalia Hess drives employee engagement and retention. The Chief People Officer collaborates with executive leadership to identify future talent needs and leadership succession planning. Through the implementation of comprehensive training programs, the Chief People Officer enhances the technical and leadership capabilities of the global team. Ultimately, the Chief People Officer secures the human capital necessary to sustain the long-term growth prospects of the organization.

    Explore Leadership Teams in Holding Companies & Conglomerates

    Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Ensign-Bickford Industries Inc Top Executives and Leadership Team

    Who leads Ensign-Bickford Industries Inc?
    Ensign-Bickford Industries Inc is led by Brad Ellis (President & Chief Executive Officer), along with executives such as William Welch (Group President) and Jennifer Lewis (President, EBAD).
    Who is part of Ensign-Bickford Industries Inc’s executive team?
    The executive team of Ensign-Bickford Industries Inc includes leaders such as Brad Ellis (President & Chief Executive Officer), William Welch (Group President), Jennifer Lewis (President, EBAD) and other senior executives.
    How many executives does Ensign-Bickford Industries Inc have?
    Ensign-Bickford Industries Inc has 7 executives leading key business areas.
    What roles are included in Ensign-Bickford Industries Inc’s leadership team?
    The leadership team of Ensign-Bickford Industries Inc includes roles such as President & Chief Executive Officer, Group President, President, EBAD, President, AFB International, Chief Information Officer.