ATCHISON, KANSAS, U.S. — MGP Ingredients announced on Oct. 8 the promotion of Steve Glaser to the position of vice-president of production and engineering.

In accepting this role, Glaser succeeds Randy Schrick, who is retiring Dec. 31 following 42 years with the company. During the time before his retirement, Schrick will transfer his current responsibilities to Glaser after which he will maintain a relationship with MGP through an exclusive multi-year consulting arrangement.

“I am deeply honored, grateful and humbled by the opportunity to follow in Randy Schrick’s footsteps,” Glaser said. “Randy has been not only a fine mentor, but also an outstanding leader and an inspiration for all of us at MGP. We have a solid strategic plan, a great team and a very positive culture, which can only lead to continued success and a bright future for MGP.”

Glaser has over 25 years of executive leadership and senior operations experience. He joined MGP as plant manager of the company’s Atchison, Kansas, U.S., facility in 2011, and has served as corporate director of operations since 2014.

In his new role as vice-president of production and engineering, Glaser will support MGP’s long-term growth plans by assuming leadership of all production and engineering activities. Among his priorities is using his leadership abilities and expertise to develop the skills and capabilities of others within the organization.

“We are very fortunate to have someone with Steve’s broad range of experience to help lead our next phase of growth,” said Gus Griffin, MGP president and chief executive officer (CEO). “He is a proven leader and dynamic problem solver who leverages his strong mix of engineering skills, business acumen and top-tier executive management capabilities.”

Just prior to joining MGP, Glaser served for three years as president and CEO of Briggs Industries, Charleston, South Carolina, U.S., a leading, multi-site international kitchen and bath products business and subsidiary of Ceramicas Industriales S.A., Santiago, Chile. That followed three years as vice-president of operations for the company.

Preceding his employment at Briggs, he held supply chain-related positions with increased responsibility at Sony Electronics, Ingersoll Rand’s Schlage Lock Company, and Electrolux Home Products.