Leading Executives in Meat Distributors
Kevin Hourican
Chairman & Chief Executive Officer, Sysco Corporation
Chair of the Board and CEO since April 2024, Hourican leads the world’s largest foodservice distributor and has accelerated Sysco’s “Recipe for Growth” strategy across center-of-the-plate proteins and specialty meats via Sysco Specialty Meat Companies (SSMC).
Dave (David E.) Flitman
Chief Executive Officer, US Foods Holding Corp.
Flitman became CEO on January 5, 2023 and is steering the No. 2 U.S. broadline distributor, with meats and seafood a major revenue mix, while sharpening execution in Stock Yards (center‑of‑plate) and local sales.
George L. Holm
Chairman & Chief Executive Officer, Performance Food Group (PFG)
Founder‑operator George Holm serves as Chairman & CEO and has led PFG’s acquisitive growth, most recently integrating Cheney Brothers and José Santiago to deepen center‑of‑the‑plate reach in the Southeast.
Rich Wolowski
President & Chief Executive Officer, Gordon Food Service
Wolowski leads one of North America’s largest family‑owned distributors; recognized by IFDA with its 2024 Cornerstone Award for industry leadership as GFS expands premium meat offerings across U.S. broadline.
Christopher Pappas
Founder, Chairman, President & Chief Executive Officer, The Chefs’ Warehouse
Co‑founder who remains Chairman, President & CEO, Pappas scaled CHEF’s specialty protein portfolio (including Allen Brothers) serving high‑end restaurants and clubs across North America and overseas.
David Norton
President, Sysco Specialty Meat Companies (SSMC)
Veteran protein executive overseeing Sysco’s 27+ specialty meat processing/distribution facilities, supplying steakhouses and white‑tablecloth accounts across North America.
Denise Van Voorhis
President, Newport Meat Company (Sysco)
Leads Newport Meat, a premier West‑region custom‑cut meat purveyor within SSMC; known for product integrity and sustainability initiatives.
Nathan Bennett
President (and CFO), West Coast Prime Meats
Bennett helms one of the West’s leading independent center‑of‑the‑plate distributors, partnering with premium ranch programs and leading chefs across CA, NV, AZ and HI.
Frederick (Fred) Linz
Owner & Chief Executive Officer, Meats by Linz
Third‑generation owner/CEO who created Linz Heritage Angus and built one of the most in‑demand steakhouse purveyors for custom‑cut, dry‑aged beef.
Zac Linz
Chief Operating Officer, Meats by Linz
Fourth‑generation COO driving operations, automation and a new production facility—continuing the family’s high‑end distribution legacy.
Raymond (Ray) Rastelli Jr.
Founder & President, Rastelli Foods Group
Founder who scaled a New Jersey butcher shop into a global meat and seafood processor‑distributor serving foodservice, retail, e‑commerce and military channels.
Ariane Daguin
Founder (former CEO), D’Artagnan (a Fortune International company)
Pioneering founder and longtime CEO who helped popularize organic, humane and ‘farm‑to‑table’ meats; remains an influential industry voice after D’Artagnan’s 2022 sale to Fortune International.
Stanley Fleishman
Chief Executive Officer, Jetro Holdings / Restaurant Depot
Fleishman leads the dominant U.S. cash‑and‑carry chain serving independent restaurants with bulk proteins and supplies—an essential channel for meat buyers nationwide.
Mike Sweet
President, Ben E. Keith Foods, Ben E. Keith Foods
Industry veteran leading one of America’s largest family‑owned broadline distributors; driving Southeastern expansion with a new 707,000‑sq‑ft Florida division HQ and DC.
TJ Murphy
Owner & Chief Executive Officer, Baldor Specialty Foods
Second‑generation owner/CEO guiding the Northeast and Mid‑Atlantic’s largest premium distributor as Baldor broadens beyond produce into specialty, dairy, seafood and meats.
David McInerney
President, Baldor Specialty Foods
FreshDirect co‑founder now serving as President, brought in April 2025 to elevate near‑term execution and operations alongside CEO TJ Murphy.
Shane Smith
President & Chief Executive Officer, Smithfield Foods
CEO since 2021, Smith leads one of the world’s largest pork companies supplying retail and foodservice globally; Smithfield re‑entered U.S. public markets in 2025 under parent WH Group.
Jon Nash
Executive Vice President, Cargill Food, Cargill (Food Enterprise; Protein & Ingredients)
Longtime protein executive who moved in Sept. 2024 to lead Cargill’s global Food enterprise, after heading Cargill Protein North America—supplying major foodservice protein customers.
Wesley Batista Filho
Chief Executive Officer, JBS USA, JBS USA
Appointed in 2023, Batista Filho is CEO of JBS USA, overseeing North American beef, pork and prepared foods operations; helped lead JBS’s 2025 NYSE listing milestone.
Donnie King
President & Chief Executive Officer , Tyson Foods
A 40‑year protein veteran, King has been CEO since 2021 and continues to reshape Tyson’s fresh meats footprint while navigating tight U.S. cattle supplies and leadership transitions in 2025.
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