Employees at Lancaster Colony Corporation rank David Ciesinski in the Bottom 5% of CEOs in Springfield, OH. Comparatively, employees at Lifeway Foods rank Julie Smolyansky in the Bottom 30% of similar sized companies. Employees rate their CEO differently based on the frequency of interaction, ability to affect company culture, and drive measurable results.

David Ciesinski

CEO of Lancaster Colony Corporation

BIO: Mr. David A. Ciesinski, also known as Dave, has been Chief Executive Officer of Lancaster Colony Corporation since July 1, 2017. Mr. Ciesinski has been President of Lancaster Colony Corporation since April 18, 2016. He has been the President of T. Marzetti since April 18, 2016. He serves as the Chief Commercial Officer and Executive Vice President of Forever, Inc. Mr. Ciesinski served as Chief Operating Officer at Lancaster Colony Corporation from April 18, 2016 to July 1, 2017. He served as Vice President of Transition at The Kraft Heinz Foods Company until June 7, 2013. He served as the President of Meal Solutions Division at Kraft Foods Group, Inc., and served as its Executive Vice President and President of Meals & Desserts. He was responsible for leading Kraft's Meals & Desserts business unit, which includes iconic brands like Kraft Macaroni & Cheese, Velveeta dinners, Cool Whip whipped topping and Jell-O dry packaged and ready-to-eat desserts. He joined Kraft in July 2014. He served as Group Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer of the U.S. Ketchup's U.S. Consumer Products division. He served as Vice President of Office of the Chairman & Strategy at Kraft Heinz Intermediate Corporation II from February 2006 to June 20, 2013 and served as its Vice President of Strategic Planning. He served as Vice President of its U.S. Ketchup franchise from 2006 to 2011. He has been Director of Lancaster Colony Corporation since July 1, 2017. He served as Fire Support Officer in a front line mechanized infantry unit during the First Gulf War. He was awarded the Bronze Star for his leadership in combat. Mr. Ciesinski later earned his MBA from the Tepper School of Business at Carnegie Mellon University and a Graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point.

Julie Smolyansky

CEO of Lifeway Foods

BIO: Ms. Julie Smolyansky has been the Chief Executive Officer and President of Lifeway Foods Inc. since June 10, 2002. Ms. Smolyansky served as an Advisor of First Juice Inc. Ms. Smolyansky served as the Chief Financial Officer of Lifeway Foods Inc. from June 10, 2002 to 2004 and also served as its Treasurer since June 10, 2002 and Chief Accounting Officer. From 1998 to 2002, she served as the Director of Sales and Marketing for Lifeway Foods Inc, with primary responsibility for developing new distribution channels and increasing awareness of Lifeway Foods, Inc.'s products at the distributor, retail and consumer levels. She has been a Director at Lifeway Foods Inc. since 2002. She served as a Director of First Juice Inc. She is a graduate of the University of Illinois at Chicago with B.S., in Psychology in 1996.