Brad Burkenpas

Brad Burkenpas has extensive work experience in various leadership roles within the manufacturing industry. Brad'smost recent position was as the Director of Strategic Operations at Darigold, a role they started in 2022. Prior to this, they served as the Senior Director of Manufacturing at Chobani from 2021 to 2022. In this role, they led a team of over 700 members and achieved significant improvements in safety, production efficiency, and product quality.

Before Chobani, Brad was the Plant Manager at ACH Food Companies, Inc. from 2019 to 2021. Brad managed all operations at the company's manufacturing facility, implementing lean methodologies and achieving notable improvements in safety, productivity, and cost efficiency.

From 2017 to 2019, Brad worked as the Director of Operations at Lawler's Desserts, where they oversaw two manufacturing sites and achieved significant reductions in safety incidents, consumer complaints, and production downtime.

Prior to that, Brad was the General Manager of a brownfield site at Angie's BOOMCHICKAPOP from 2015 to 2017. Brad established a LEAN operations culture and achieved a one-year record without any OSHA reportable injuries.

Brad's earlier experience includes roles at The Dannon Company, where they served as a Production Director, Production Unit Manager, Performance Optimization Manager, and Drinkables Area Manager from 2008 to 2015. During this time, they implemented continuous improvement initiatives, achieved significant improvements in safety and productivity, and successfully managed various projects.

Brad began their career at Cooper Crouse-Hinds, where they worked as a Manufacturing Quality Engineer, Production Supervisor, and Manufacturing Development Program Engineer from 2005 to 2008. Brad implemented quality and efficiency improvements, reduced changeover times, and successfully supervised production teams.

Brad also gained early experience as an Engineering/Manufacturing Intern at The Clorox Company from 2002 to 2004.

Overall, Brad Burkenpas has a proven track record of leadership, achieving substantial improvements in safety, productivity, quality, and cost efficiency throughout their career.

Brad Burkenpas received their Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from Purdue University, where they attended from 2000 to 2005. In 2010, they pursued higher education at Wright State University and obtained their MBA in Management, Innovation, and Change. Furthermore, in 2014, Brad participated in the Leadership Development Program at the Center for Creative Leadership.