Chicago, Illinois-based Pre Brands has hired Kevin Ponticelli as CEO.
Ponticelli brings more than 30 years of diverse consumer packaged goods experience across sales, marketing and strategy.
“Pre aligns perfectly with consumer trends, tastes terrific and is winning in the market,” Ponticelli said. “Everyone in our organization is committed to scaling the business successfully as we expand nationwide and continue to build the Pre brand.”
Most recently, Ponticelli was the COO and president of Mizkan American Inc., an operating subsidiary of Japan-based Mizkan Group, a leader in condiments and sauce distribution across the United States and Canada. Prior, Ponticelli was the group VP and president of Kraft for its North American Cheese and Dairy Sector.
“Kevin’s appointment is timely and we’re very excited to have such high-level talent coming on board to lead the team through the next phase of expansion,” said Pre board member Jeff Klunzinger. “We welcome his tremendous experience in consumer-packaged businesses, specifically in marketing, sales and general management and we’re confident that he will take Pre to the next level of growth.”
Ponticelli succeeds Lenny Lebovich, the company’s founder and original CEO.
Ponticelli serves as an advisory committee member to the IE/Brown University Executive MBA program and is a board member of Gilman Cheese Co. He holds an MBA from Michigan State University, and a bachelor’s degree from Wayne State University. He is a member of the Wayne State University Athletic Hall of Fame.
Pre’s non-GMO certified beef is grass fed and finished, pasture raised, with no added hormones or antibiotics and is available in steak, ground and roast formats. Pre is available nationally in retail and online.
