Retirement effective at the end of calendar year 2022, Suzanne Kasunich transitions into new role in 2023
SHENANDOAH, Pa., August 22, 2022 – Ateeco, Inc., maker of Mrs. T’s Pierogies today announces the retirement of Michael Gross, Vice President of Sales effective December 31, 2022. Suzanne Kasunich will transition into the role, and the company also welcomes new team members Bill Parker and Jessica Rieland.
Michael Gross has been an integral part of Mrs. T’s success through his leadership of both Retail and Foodservice Sales over the past 8 years. Throughout his 40-year career, Mike has developed relationships and partnerships within the entire CPG industry including brokers, customers, and trade organizations.
Over the next few months, Gross will transition his responsibilities to Suzanne Kasunich, currently National Account Manager. Her promotion will be effective January 1, 2023, as Mrs. T’s fills her role and facilitates a smooth transition. She holds an MBA from the University of Pittsburgh and is also a certified CPA. Her 35-year career has provided a wide range of experience in CPG Sales Management, Supply Chain, Marketing Brand Management and Finance that will continue to benefit Mrs. T’s Pierogies in various cross-functional ways. Over the past five years, Suzanne has led the sales strategy and built relationships with some of Mrs. T’s largest retail customers.
Jessica Rieland and Bill Parker also join the Mrs. T’s Pierogies family: Jessica as a National Account Manager and Bill as a Regional Sales Manager, with a focus on the Mid-Atlantic. Both come to Mrs. T’s with over 20 years of experience in the CPG space and offer the team a wealth of knowledge to continue moving the business forward.
“On behalf of Mrs. T’s, I want to congratulate Mike on his retirement and on a wonderful career making people smile in the food industry. I’m grateful for Mike’s leadership over more than 8 years at Mrs. T’s and through the challenges of the pandemic. We wish him the best as he prepares for this new chapter in his life,” said Tom Twardzik, Owner, Ateeco, Inc.” We look forward to Suzanne, Bill and Jessica transitioning into their new roles and seeing them demonstrate their excellent track records of developing relationships that will continue to serve us and our customers well.”
“It has been an honor to work alongside a talented and dedicated team during my tenure with Mrs. T’s – bringing not only smiles but also delicious pierogies to our customers across the country”, said Michael Gross, VP of Sales. “This is bittersweet news to share with my team and my friends within the industry, but I am excited to spend even more time with my wonderful wife, Patty, and our family.”
As he prepares Suzanne for a successful transition, Gross will continue to lead the Sales efforts of the Retail Sales Team Regional Managers, who combined have spent more than 25 years with Mrs. T’s: Robert Melfi (Regional Sales Manager, Northeast), Ken Novak (Regional Sales Manager), Nikole Meckley (Director of Food Service Sales), Bill Parker (Regional Sales Manager, Mid-Atlantic) and Jessica Rieland, National Account Manager.
