Milling & Baking News - September 8, 2009 - 32

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John Speirs succeeds retiring
Ladd Seaberg at MGP Ingredients
ATCHISON, KAS. - John R. Speirs,
a member of the board of directors
at MGP Ingredients Inc. since 2004,
has been named chairman of the
company, effective immediately. He
succeeds Ladd Seaberg, a director
for 30 years and chairman since October 2006, who retired on Aug. 27.
Mr. Speirs is the chairman and
co-founder of Stellus Consulting,
a Minneapolis-based strategy consulting firm created in 2001 that
specializes in business strategy,
strategic visioning, merger and acquisition support and branding
strategy. From 1998 to 2000 he was
executive vice-president of marketing for Diageo P.L.C. and from 1989
to 1998 he held various positions
with Pillsbury, including senior
vice-president of strategy and brand
development. Earlier, he was senior

J. Murray Grob, former
Caravan president, dies
LAKE WORTH, FLA. - J. Murray
Grob, president of Caravan Products
(now Caravan Ingredients) from 1994
to 2000, died Aug. 26 in Lake Worth.
He was 83 years old.
Mr. Grob served in the U.S. Air
Force as a radio operator on a B-17
during World War II. He subsequently worked with his father at Ira Grob
Inc., which was acquired by Caravan
Products in the late 1950s.
While at Caravan, Mr. Grob was
a sales representative and vice-president of sales, and eventually was
named president in 1994. After retiring in 2000, he continued to serve the
company as a consultant.
In addition to his work at Caravan,
Mr. Grob was active in several industry groups, including the American
Society of Baking, the American Bakers Association, and the National Association of Flour Distributors.
Survivors include his wife, Judy
Grob; a son and daughter-in-law, Robert and Jacqueline Grob; a daughter
and son-in-law, Lori and James Lipkis;
three stepsons, Elliot, David and Matthew; a stepdaughter, Carolyn; and
three grandchildren.
Funeral services were held Aug. 30
at Riverside Memorial in New York. In
lieu of flowers donations may be made
to ORT America, 75 Maiden Lane,
New York, N.Y. 10038. MBN
bakingbusiness.com / world-grain.com

vice-president of marketing at Lever Brothers.
Mr. Seaberg, who said his decision to retire was based on his desire
"to focus additional time on other
non-business-related activities and
priorities" and was
"partially influenced
by health-related reasons," will continue
in a consulting capacity to the board and
company management
for approximately two Seaberg
years. Mr. Seaberg was
president of MGPI from 1980 to 2006,
and held the additional role of chief
executive officer from 1986 to 2006.
"I have been associated with
MGP Ingredients throughout my
entire professional career and have
participated in numerous significant changes over the course of the
company's evolvement, including
several major expansion projects,
plant and technological upgrades,
product diversifications and, more

People

recently, an extensive internal restructuring process," Mr. Seaberg
said. "It certainly has been a very
exciting and rewarding experience,
and I am deeply grateful to everyone for the hard work and support
they have provided during my
many years in leadership positions
at the company."
Mr. Seaberg's spot on MGPI's board
will be filled by his wife, Karen. Ms.
Seaberg is a local business entrepreneur and community leader, and has
been nominated to complete her husband's current term, which expires in
October 2011. Ms. Seaberg's father,
Cloud L. (Bud) Cray, is a past chairman of MGPI and a current member
of the board of directors.
"I look forward to my new responsibilities and the opportunity
to serve this outstanding company
in such a capacity," Ms. Seaberg
said. "I have gained an in-depth
understanding of MGPI's business
operations, markets and strategic
initiatives through the years and am
enthusiastic about performing a key
role as a director for the good of all
who have a stake in our company's
future." MBN

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