Mrs. T’s Pierogies Announces Operations Leadership Transition, Honors Longtime Director’s Retirement

 

SHENANDOAH - Mrs. T’s Pierogies is marking a major leadership milestone at its Shenandoah operations with the retirement of longtime Director of Operations Ray Stasulli and the promotion of several veteran team members as part of a planned succession strategy.
The transition, announced by Ateeco, Inc., reflects the company’s emphasis on continuity and internal advancement, with newly elevated leaders bringing a combined 79 years of experience at Mrs. T’s.

Ray Stasulli

Stasulli retires after more than two decades with the company, during which he oversaw manufacturing, supply chain operations, maintenance and engineering, and technical services, including quality assurance, research and development, and sanitation. Company officials credited his leadership with strengthening safety standards and supporting the company’s continued growth as a national food producer.

“Ray embraced our culture, strengthened our teams and inspired continuous improvement across the organization,” said Tom Twardzik, second-generation owner of Ateeco, Inc., in a statement. “His steadfast commitment to associate safety, food safety and quality guided us through decades of growth and change.”

John Gantz

Stasulli said his time at Mrs. T’s was defined by the people he worked alongside. “Working with such a dedicated, values-driven team has been the highlight of my career,” he said. “I look forward to cheering on the continued success of this company and the remarkable people who make it all happen.” 

As part of the transition, John Gantz was appointed Director of Operations effective January 1, 2026. Gantz brings more than 33 years of experience at Mrs. T’s, most recently leading the Production Department. In his new role, he will oversee maintenance, quality, production, and sanitation, with a focus on safety, workforce development, and manufacturing efficiency.

Missy Lombardo

The company also announced two additional internal promotions. Missy Lombardo, a 36-year employee who joined Mrs. T’s in 1990, has been promoted to Production Manager after serving in leadership roles across quality, food safety, sanitation, and production. Patrick Murphy, a 10-year veteran of the company, was promoted to Quality Assurance Manager and will oversee food safety, regulatory compliance, and product quality operations.

Patrick Murphy

Company officials said the leadership changes highlight Mrs. T’s long-standing commitment to developing talent from within while preserving the institutional knowledge that has shaped the company for generations.

Founded in 1952 in Shenandoah, Mrs. T’s Pierogies has grown from a local family business into the nation’s largest producer of frozen pierogies, producing more than 600 million pierogies each year.