“Quinten’s previous experience in corporate purchasing, supply chain management and risk management make him highly qualified to lead MGPI’s efforts to streamline purchasing processes, develop and implement world class supply chain methodologies and strengthen our risk management processes,” said Tim Newkirk, president and chief operating officer. “We are fortunate to have someone with his unique skill set and background in world class organizations.”

Stewart most recently spent two years as sourcing and supply management director for the Kimberly-Clark Corporation in Neenah, Wis. In this capacity, his responsibilities included supply chain development, technology acquisitions and involvement in information technology processes and business consulting.

From 1998 to 2004, Stewart was employed by Mars Inc. He began there as an infrastructure and project manager, providing technological support for sales and manufacturing operations. He later served for one year as supply chain manager at the Mars facility in Mattoon, Ill., two years as purchasing manager in Mattoon, and a year as global risk manager at the company’s Hackettstown, N.J. location. Between 1995 and 1998, Stewart was senior customer service engineer for Sentinel Technology Corporation, Chicago. Prior to that, he served for four years as a nuclear power operator with the U.S. Navy.

Stewart is a member of the Institute for Electrical and Electronics Engineers and the Institute for Supply Management. He has also been a participant in the CAPS/Center for Strategic Supply Research and active in a number of community activities and organizations, including the Chamber of Commerce and United Way.

Stewart is a graduate of Eastern Illinois University, Charleston, where he received a bachelor’s degree in business in 1997. He earned a master of science degree in computer information systems at the University of Phoenix in 2001.

From the July 16, 2007, Prepared Foods e-Flash