Mark Wetterau, the chairman and CEO of US food manufacturer Golden State Foods, has died, aged 65.
Wetterau led the retail and foodservice supplier for 25 years from 1998 when a family holding he co-founded acquired the California-based business.
Conrad Wetterau, Mark’s brother and a fellow founder of the Wetterau Associates holding that bought Golden State Foods, has been named its chairman of the board.
Vice chairman Mike Waitukaitis, who also set up Wetterau Associates, is to remain in post.
Asked by Just Food if Golden State Foods would look to appoint a new chief executive, the company said: “GSF’s executive team continues to move forward in working through this transition with the board of directors and the company will share information about future plans when more information becomes available.”
In a separate statement, Conrad Wetterau said: “Mike and I are deeply dedicated to GSF’s continued, long-term success. Despite the significant loss of my dear brother, best friend, and long-time GSF leader, Mark, we will continue to build on the incredible momentum of this thriving organisation to best serve our valued customers at the highest levels throughout the world.”
Golden State Foods supplies meat, dairy and produce lines, employing more than 6,000 staff. In a statement announcing Mark Wetterau’s death, the privately-owned company – which has supplied fast food giant McDonald’s for more than 65 years – said its annual revenue stood at “more than $7bn”.
