About Us

Our Values


Mission

We strive to delight consumers as the preferred manufacturer of premium, crafted meat snacks.

World Class Hospitality

Our business is a service and so we think like a hospitality company. We provide value through world class service, manufacturing expertise and supply chain operations.

Team Member Growth and Happiness

We create an environment for associates to thrive through training, tools and a safe workplace.

Stakeholder Success

We thrive through absolute commitment to all stakeholders: community, customers, employees and vendors.

Community & Environment

We support brands and suppliers in their missions to bring sustainable, ethical and healthy products to consumers.

Meet The Team


Chief Executive Officer, Matt Bormann

Matt Bormann
Chief Executive Officer
Chief Product Officer, Doug Hankes

Doug Hankes
Chief Product Officer
Chief Financial Officer, Peter Sikorski

Peter Sikorski
Chief Financial Officer
Chief Human Resources Officer, Crystal Bohm

Crystal Bohm
Chief Human Resources Officer
Vice President of Operations, Paul Curlee

Paul Curlee
Vice President of Operations
Vice President of Information Technology, Randy Krahmer

Randy Krahmer
Vice President of Information Technology
Research and Development and Continuous Improvement Senior Manager, Laura Williams
Laura Williams
R&D & Continuous Improvement Senior Manager
Plant Manager at our Springfield, Illinois facility, John Keech

John Keech
Plant Manager- Springfield Facility
Plant Manager at our Galesburg, Illinois facility Tony Campbell

Tony Campbell
Plant Manager- Galesburg Facility
Plant Manager at our Burlington, Iowa facility, Roland Vorwaldt

Roland Vorwaldt
Plant Manager-Burlington Facility
Plant Manager at our Greentop, Missouri facility, Curtiss Kellison

Curtiss Kellison
Plant Manager- Greentop Facility
Director of Supply Chain Strategy, Brad Turasky

Brad Turasky
Director of Supply Chain Strategy
Food Safety and Quality Assurance Director, Roberto Giuliano

Roberto Giuliano
FSQA Director

History


Image of the front office at our Greentop, Missouri facility
Western’s Smokehouse
Greentop, MO
Ariel image of our Galesburg, Illinois facility
Thrushwood Farms
Galesburg, IL

Western’s Smokehouse and Thrushwood Farms were separately founded in 1978 by Sam Western and Jim Hankes. They met each other through the industry and became fast Friends.

Soon enough, the second generation emerged. Kevin Western and Doug Hankes grew up in the industry together. Each had coincidentally decided to start making meat snacks.

With a shared passion, the two stayed in touch and shared ideas and best practices.

Eventually Western’s brought in a strategic partner to help grow the company. After a large facility expansion, Western’s and Thrushwood decided to combine. The Western and Hankes families remain large shareholders today.

Today we remain true to our family owned heritage and strive to provide the best service to our customers.

Image collage of Western's Smokehouse owners and advertisements