MGP Ingredients Names Julie Francis as CEO

MGP Ingredients has appointed Julie Francis as president and CEO, effective immediately. Francis succeeds Brandon Gall, who has served as interim president and CEO since January. The company did not disclose further details about Francis' background or qualifications.

MGP Ingredients, Inc. (Nasdaq: MGPI) has appointed Julie Francis as President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), effective immediately. Francis succeeds Brandon Gall, who has served as Interim President and CEO since January 1, 2025. Gall will continue to serve as Chief Financial Officer (CFO).

Julie Francis brings over 30 years of leadership experience in the branded food and beverage industries. She previously served as Chief Operating Officer at Schwan's Company, a leading producer of frozen foods. Prior to Schwan's, she worked as Senior Vice President of Commercial and Category Development for Constellation Brands' Total Beverage Alcohol platform. Francis is also a member of the Board of Directors of Ascend Wellness Holdings (AAWH) and has served as a Board Advisory Director for Nottingham Spirk [1].

The appointment of Francis follows a period of strategic alignment within MGP Ingredients, led by Gall. The company reaffirmed its annual outlook, expecting annual adjusted basic income per share of $2.45 to $2.75, with adjusted EBITDA of $105 million to $115 million, on sales of $520 million to $540 million [2].

Martin Roper, Chairman of the Board of MGP Ingredients, expressed confidence in Francis' ability to advance the company's long-term vision of becoming a premier, branded spirits company. He noted that Francis' leadership, strategic vision, and collaborative approach will serve the company well and help unlock new opportunities for growth, innovation, and long-term shareholder value creation [1].

Francis remarked, "MGP’s strong foundation, built on a legacy of quality, operational excellence, and a portfolio of attractive alcoholic spirits brands, is a true credit to this talented team. I am excited to partner with Brandon and the MGP team as we build upon this excellent platform to grow our brands, deepen consumer connections, and create value for all stakeholders" [1].

References:
[1] https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250721992920/en/MGP-Ingredients-Appoints-Julie-Francis-as-Chief-Executive-Officer
[2] https://www.nasdaq.com/articles/mgp-ingredients-appoints-julie-francis-chief-executive-officer-backs-annual-outlook