Riviana Foods Executive and Leadership Team

October, 2026

Leadership Overview

Riviana Foods has 5 executives leading key functions including corporate strategy, financial oversight, and information technology.

Driven by a commitment to wholesome grain production, Riviana Foods maintains a century-long legacy of excellence while continuously evolving its technological capabilities to ensure superior consumer satisfaction across global markets.

Leadership Roles at Riviana Foods

  • President & Chief Executive Officer - Enrique Zaragoza
  • Chief Financial Officer - Jeffrey Buelow
  • Senior Vice President & Chief Financial Officer - Michael Schwartz
  • Senior Vice President & Chief Financial Officer - Gregory Richardson
  • Director, Information Technology - Laurie Hillman
  • Enrique Zaragoza - President & Chief Executive Officer

    Enrique Zaragoza, the President & Chief Executive Officer at Riviana Foods, directs the overarching strategic vision for the organization. Overseeing the integration of premium specialty grains and rice products, the President & Chief Executive Officer ensures alignment between farm-to-consumer operations and long-term market expansion goals. This leadership role involves managing the recent acquisition of InHarvest, Inc. to solidify the company's position as the leading marketer of wild rice globally. By optimizing production facilities and fostering innovation, Enrique Zaragoza drives the company toward enhanced operational efficiency. Zaragoza maintains constant communication with the Board to refine corporate objectives and secure sustainable growth. Through rigorous oversight of the entire supply chain, the President & Chief Executive Officer guarantees the delivery of clean, wholesome products to diverse consumer segments across North American and international markets, ultimately strengthening the competitive standing of the enterprise.

    Jeffrey Buelow - Chief Financial Officer

    Jeffrey Buelow, the Chief Financial Officer at Riviana Foods, manages the fiscal health and capital allocation strategies of the organization. Overseeing financial reporting and budgetary planning, the Chief Financial Officer ensures the company maintains robust liquidity to support ongoing investments in grain processing technology. This leadership role involves analyzing market trends to mitigate risks associated with global commodity fluctuations. By implementing stringent cost-control measures, Jeffrey Buelow optimizes operational margins across all manufacturing facilities. Buelow collaborates with executive leadership to evaluate potential acquisitions and capital expenditures that align with the long-term growth trajectory of the business. Through precise financial modeling and transparent reporting, the Chief Financial Officer provides the necessary data to support strategic decision-making. Ultimately, Buelow secures the financial stability required to maintain the company's status as the premier provider of rice and specialty grains in the competitive food manufacturing sector.

    Michael Schwartz - Senior Vice President & Chief Financial Officer

    Michael Schwartz, the Senior Vice President & Chief Financial Officer at Riviana Foods, directs the enterprise-wide financial planning and analysis functions. Overseeing the integration of financial systems following recent asset acquisitions, the Senior Vice President & Chief Financial Officer ensures seamless consolidation of revenue streams. This leadership role involves managing complex tax structures and regulatory compliance across diverse regional operations. By refining internal audit processes, Michael Schwartz enhances the accuracy of financial forecasting for the entire grain portfolio. Schwartz works closely with the executive team to allocate resources toward high-growth product lines, including quinoa and specialty grains. Through the development of sophisticated financial dashboards, the Senior Vice President & Chief Financial Officer provides actionable insights that drive operational efficiency. Ultimately, Schwartz strengthens the balance sheet, ensuring the company remains well-positioned to capitalize on emerging opportunities within the global food manufacturing landscape.

    Gregory Richardson - Senior Vice President & Chief Financial Officer

    Gregory Richardson, the Senior Vice President & Chief Financial Officer at Riviana Foods, manages the treasury operations and investor relations for the organization. Overseeing the capital structure and debt management, the Senior Vice President & Chief Financial Officer ensures the company maintains a strong credit profile to support large-scale infrastructure improvements. This leadership role involves coordinating with external financial partners to optimize cash flow management across the supply chain. By analyzing the profitability of specific product categories, Gregory Richardson identifies opportunities for margin expansion within the rice and grain segments. Richardson collaborates with the leadership team to align financial performance with the broader mission of delivering wholesome products to consumers. Through the implementation of advanced financial risk management strategies, the Senior Vice President & Chief Financial Officer protects the company against market volatility. Ultimately, Richardson drives long-term value creation by maintaining disciplined financial oversight and supporting strategic investments in manufacturing technology.

    Laurie Hillman - Director, Information Technology

    Laurie Hillman, the Director, Information Technology at Riviana Foods, architects the digital infrastructure supporting the company's manufacturing and distribution networks. Overseeing the implementation of cutting-edge technology, the Director, Information Technology ensures that data systems remain secure and scalable to meet the demands of a global grain marketer. This leadership role involves managing the transition to cloud-based platforms to improve real-time visibility into farm-to-consumer operations. By streamlining digital workflows, Laurie Hillman enhances the efficiency of production facilities and supply chain logistics. Hillman collaborates with other executives to integrate new assets into the existing IT framework, ensuring seamless data continuity. Through the deployment of advanced cybersecurity protocols, the Director, Information Technology protects critical corporate data and intellectual property. Ultimately, Hillman drives the digital transformation of the company, enabling the organization to maintain its competitive edge through superior technological integration and data-driven operational excellence.

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    Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Riviana Foods Top Executives and Leadership Team

    Who leads Riviana Foods?
    Riviana Foods is led by Enrique Zaragoza (President & Chief Executive Officer), along with executives such as Jeffrey Buelow (Chief Financial Officer) and Michael Schwartz (Senior Vice President & Chief Financial Officer).
    Who is part of Riviana Foods’s executive team?
    The executive team of Riviana Foods includes leaders such as Enrique Zaragoza (President & Chief Executive Officer), Jeffrey Buelow (Chief Financial Officer), Michael Schwartz (Senior Vice President & Chief Financial Officer) and other senior executives.
    How many executives does Riviana Foods have?
    Riviana Foods has 5 executives leading key business areas.
    What roles are included in Riviana Foods’s leadership team?
    The leadership team of Riviana Foods includes roles such as President & Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Senior Vice President & Chief Financial Officer, Senior Vice President & Chief Financial Officer, Director, Information Technology.