Revolution Foods names new CEO

Major healthy prepared meals provider Revolution Foods has announced that Dominic Engels has been appointed as the company's new CEO, following over 15 years of leadership by Founder Kristin Groos Richmond, who will continue in her role as Chairwoman of the Board. Engels assumes day-to-day leadership of a company that produces and distributes over two million meals a week from its eight culinary centers to school districts and charter schools, community feeding programs, childhood education centers, senior programs and afterschool youth programs in 23 states.

"It has been a tremendous honor to build and lead Revolution Foods since co-founding the company in 2006 and I am incredibly proud of everything our team has accomplished to serve over 500 million meals to communities around the nation," said Groos Richmond. "In anticipation of even more exciting and high-impact opportunities ahead of us, I am thrilled to welcome Dominic as CEO to build on the company's momentum. After an extensive nationwide search, the Board, team, and I felt confident that Dominic truly embodies our core values while also bringing an impressive depth of experience to the table."

Engels served as CEO of Stone Brewing, the largest brewery in Southern California, for four years before resigning in August 2020. Previous to Stone Brewing, he served as president of POM Wonderful, known for its pomegranate juice product, after working for the company in Europe overseeing sales, marketing and operations for POM products. His more than 25 years of professional activity also includes foundational experience at consulting/research firm McKinsey & Company.

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"I know that I speak for everyone at Revolution Foods in thanking Kristin for her leadership and tireless dedication founding and scaling the company to ensure equitable access to healthy meals across the country," said Engels. "I am incredibly excited to assume this new role and for the future of the organization. We have an exceptionally talented team at Revolution Foods, and I am passionate about driving our ongoing commitment to operational excellence while continuing to innovate our meals for districts and schools nationwide and deepen our impact on the lives of food insecure adults and seniors, ensuring everyone has access to healthy food."

Engels begins his tenure at Revolution Foods at a time when the company is in the process of diversifying its operations from its core K-12 business, where its clients include Boston Public Schools and San Francisco USD, into new channels like adult and family meals, senior meals and medically tailored meals. Earlier this year, it announced its conversion to a Delaware Public Benefit Corporation following a $60 million funding round led by investment firm L2Point and investment funds managed by Morgan Stanley Private Credit.

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"Dominic came to Revolution Foods highly recommended for his balanced leadership approach that combines strong commercial and brand focus alongside outstanding operational excellence," said Kerstin Dittmar, Managing Partner of L2 Point, and Board member and investor at Revolution Foods who was on the Search Committee. "The Board felt that his approachable leadership style and extensive experience in large, mission-driven food and beverage companies made him an ideal fit to lead the next chapter of growth for the company."

Founded in 2006 to serve freshly prepared, healthy meals to students in the San Francisco Bay Area, Revolution Foods earlier this year was recognized as one of Fast Company's "World's Most Innovative Companies 2021" for the third time.