Campbell’s President and CEO, Denise Morrison (center) tours the Pepperidge Farm Plant with (left to right) Nancy Resendez, Goldfish product manager; Ashley Daub, cookie product manager, Jeremy Jones, Human Resources manager, Morrison, and Don Tomaszewski, plant manager. Morrison reviewed plant operations performance, met the people who lead and operate the local plant, and delivered an address outlining her strategic priorities in her visit on January 18.

By Jane Ernsberger
Times-Junction News Editor

Denise Morrison, President and CEO of Campbell’s made history on Jan. 18 when she became the first company president to tour the Willard Pepperidge Farm plant, according to Don Tomaszewski, plant manager. Campbell’s, according to Geri Allen of the corporate office has owned Pepperidge Farm since 1961.

Tomaszewski said Morrison came to Willard to review plant operations, meet the people who lead and operate the local plant and to deliver an address outlining her key strategic framework and priorities in her new position as president and CEO. “Focus Forward!” is the message Morrison brought to Willard.

Morrison is the first Campbell’s head to visit the Willard plant since the local operation opened for business in 1977. The time she spent here did not go unnoticed, according to Tomaszewski.

“Campbell’s is a global company with manufacturing plants all over the United States and throughout the world,” he pointed out. “Ms. Morrison has huge responsibilities to fulfill every day. We’re honored that she chose to take this time to visit our plant, review our operations, meet our people and personally share her strategic framework with us. She’s only been in her position since Aug. 1, 2011, so for her to give us such a high priority is truly extraordinary.”

During her time at the Willard plant, Tomaszewski said he presented a review of plant operations. Morrison was then taken on a tour of the Willard plant. She was given a manufacturing overview by Ashley Daub, cookie production manager; Nancy Resendez, Goldfish production manager; Bethany Hammer, operations quality manager; Jeremy Jones, human resources manager and Tomaszewski.

In an address to a large group of Willard employees, Morrison detailed the major elements of Campbell’s 2012 strategic framework. When she was finished, she answered questions from employees. Before leaving the Willard plant, Morrison was also presented with a golden Goldfish pin by Darla Conley, one of 16 original employees who started their careers at the Willard plant on the first day of operation, Nov. 15, 1977.

“We’ve worked really hard over the past 15 years to be our Company’s ‘go to plant,’” said Tomaszewski. “And, it’s working. We’ve grown tremendously over that period of time, and the Company has invested heavily in capital equipment and jobs here. They wouldn't do that if they weren’t confident in us.

“And as I’ve shared before, I couldn’t be prouder of the people of the Willard plant for what they do every single day to make it happen,” Tomaszewski added. “They do it so well. To them it’s just part of the job, but I’ve managed other plants, and I’ve seen how things get done in other plants.

“The people here and their performance are a blessing,” he pointed out. “I’ve experienced it and been thankful for it for 15 years. And now the peron at the very top of our company has experienced it, too.”