“I had the privilege to be part of that initiative that laid the foundation for the company, and am very excited about leading an incredibly talented team…” notes new CEO.
Orion Food Systems LLC has announced that Steve Watkins has been promoted to CEO of Orion Food Systems, the international foodservice provider of leading brands, such as Hot Stuff Pizza.
Watkins, who has been a significant member of the Orion management team for the past 25 years, was most recently the company’s president, chief financial officer and director.
Watkins began his career at Orion as a financial analyst for (then Orion parent company) Schwan’s Sales Enterprises, and was part of the original management team that launched Orion Food Systems.
He has held management positions in sales & marketing, national/ international franchising, and finance & accounting. Watkins was instrumental in facilitating Orion’s master franchise agreement in the Middle East, and was managing director for the company’s international presence in both the UK and France.
“Orion Food Systems pioneered the concept of developing high quality foodservice products and brands in c-stores, on military bases and in other high-traffic locations almost a quarter-century ago,” noted Watkins, “I had the privilege to be part of that initiative that laid the foundation for the company, and am very excited about leading an incredibly talented team who will take Orion, our franchise partners, and customers to the next level of foodservice success.”
In addition to being CEO of Orion Food Systems, Watkins also serves on the Board of Directors for Sanford Health Plan, part of a non-profit integrated health care delivery system composed of 150 facilities including hospitals, clinics, long-term and managed care, research centers and other medical facilities.