QualiTech, LLC, a global manufacturer of ingredient solutions, announced that Rick Pedersen, former president of Ornua Ingredients North America, has joined the company as chief executive officer. This change is effective as of January 2024.
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Pedersen brings more than 20 years of experience in the specialty ingredients industry to QualiTech, as well as a long track record of successfully catalyzing transformational growth in businesses across the food value chain. Throughout his career, he has cultivated strong expertise in sales, finance, and operations functions both domestically and internationally. His prior experience driving revenue growth at leading value-added ingredients companies, decades of proven leadership skills and strong focus on strategy and innovation will help to accelerate QualiTech’s trajectory and reinforce its position as an industry leader in the ingredients market.
Prior to his role as president of Ornua Ingredients North America, a processed dairy business, Pedersen was president and chief executive officer of Agrana Fruit North America. Previously, he held a variety of leadership positions at Fonterra, including chief financial officer and finance director of the Americas, where he led a range of initiatives to spur profitable growth and directed financial management and planning throughout North and South American markets. Pedersen has also previously held executive and leadership roles at major global brands including Nestle and Novartis Consumer Health. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Economics from the University of Wisconsin.
