September 16/Sparta, Mich./Prepared Foodsmagazine -- Old Orchard Brands hired Mike Summers as regional business manager for the Midwest. Summers brings nearly 25 years of food manufacturing and grocery supply chain experience to the company’s management team.  He begins immediately and reports directly to Craig Lampright, vice president of sales.

In his new role with Old Orchard, Summers will oversee all aspects of sales development within the Midwest, including all 185 Meijer stores that populate the territory.

Summers most recently served as regional sales manager at Continental Mills, where he led the successful integration of Continental’s core brands including Krusteaz, Alpine and Ghirardelli, into leading national grocers such as Kroger, Meijer, Spartan and Wegman’s.

Summers began his career at Meijer as a grocery bagger in high school before moving up to manage purchasing for its dairy and deli departments. His proven track record in brand management and knowledge of supply chain logistics were key factors in his hiring for the nation’s fourth-largest fruit juice manufacturer.  

“With the addition of Mike, we’ve strengthened our team with a guy who literally knows the grocery business from the cart to the corner office” said Old Orchard founder Mark Saur.  “Our customers, many of whom he already has relationships with, will benefit from his knowledge and expertise as will Old Orchard.”

Summers holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Aquinas College and a master’s degree in business administration from Notre Dame.  In addition, he’s a graduate and former graduate assistant of The Dale Carnegie Course.

From the October 27, 2008, Prepared Foods e-Flash