May 23/Plymouth, Wis./Press Release -- Sargento Foods Inc. announced the promotion of Erin Price to marketing director of core business and John Wajdowicz to divisional sales manager, and recognized Steve Abrahamian and Svetlana Tsygankova for their contributions within the company’s Consumer Products Division.

As marketing director of core business, Price will be responsible for brand growth through integrated marketing communications and management of the core Slices, Snacks and Shreds product line teams, reporting to Chip Schuman, vice president--marketing.

“Erin has shown exceptional leadership at Sargento, achieving record levels of brand awareness and strong business results,” said Louie Gentine, president and chief customer officer at Sargento. “We are confident she will continue to serve as a vital asset to the Sargento family and contribute to the company’s future growth.”

Since joining Sargento in 2007, Price has spearheaded the launch of several successful innovation platforms and line extensions, contributing to record levels of brand awareness and considerable growth in core product lines. Price earned a bachelor’s degree in marketing from the University of Wisconsin—Madison.

In his new role as divisional sales manager, Wajdowicz will be responsible for identifying and developing new sales opportunities in the Southeast region of the U.S., reporting to John Arnold, director of sales.

“John’s expertise and outstanding sales efforts will continue to be an asset to the Consumer Products Division,” said Gentine. “We congratulate John on his promotion and look forward to watching Sargento grow with his guidance.”

During his nearly 16 years at Sargento, Wajdowicz has demonstrated leadership in driving impressive sales results at Publix, as well as other accounts in Florida and North Carolina. He earned his bachelor’s degree in sales and marketing from University of South Florida in Tampa, Fla.  

Sargento recognized Abrahamian as senior sales director, reporting to Mark Gumm, vice president of sales. His ongoing support within the Consumer Products Division has resulted in consistent performances from many leading retailers, including Kroger, Target, Safeway and Supervalu.

“At Sargento, we pride ourselves on maintaining strong relationships with our customers,” said Gentine. “Steve has demonstrated impressive business skills and we are proud to recognize him for his efforts to the team.”

Prior to joining the Sargento family in 2007, Abrahamian served 12 years as a sales director with Miller Brewing Company in Milwaukee. He earned his bachelor’s degree in sociology from the University of California – Berkley.

Sargento recognizes Svetlana as a financial analysis director for her strategic support to the Consumer Products Division and New Business Development group. With this recognition, Svetlana reports to Jim Birenbaum, vice president of strategic analysis.

“Svetlana has been instrumental in the development and implementation of improved financial analysis as it relates to core business and product innovation,” said Louie Gentine, president and chief customer officer at Sargento. “We congratulate her on the well-deserved recognition and are eager to follow her growth.”

In her past five years at Sargento, Tsygankova has served as senior manager of consumer products financial analysis and manager of strategic analysis. She earned a master’s degree in business administration in finance from Indiana University in Bloomington and a master’s degree in management information systems from Benedictine University in Lisle, Ill.