Joel Conner, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
Mr. Conner has been involved with Bellisio Foods in a variety of positions since the inception of Michelina’s. As Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, he is responsible for the day-to-day management of Bellisio Foods, Inc. and focuses on developing and overseeing its strategic growth objectives. He has been instrumental in leading the company’s consumer marketing and international sales efforts as well as building sales in the alternative retail channel. 

Mr. Conner has been involved in dozens of successful startup and turnaround companies, public and private, and has served on the boards of directors or advisory boards of numerous organizations in banking, real estate, restaurant management, professional sports, and manufacturing. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree from The Cornell University School of Hotel and Restaurant Administration in Ithaca, New York. He has a Doctor of Law-Honorabilia from Flagler College and has served as a lecturer and faculty assistant at the graduate and postgraduate level of five colleges and universities, including Cornell. Mr. Conner is also active on numerous civic and non-profit organizations including: SIFE, Flagler College, and Children’s Heartlink.

Charles Pountney, Senior Executive Vice President of Sales and Marketing
Mr. Pountney has been with Bellisio Foods for eight of his 25 years in food sales and marketing management. He directs and supervises U.S. sales of Bellisio’s products as well as overseeing the company’s Canadian business. He graduated with a degree in Communications from Michigan State University.

Danette Bucsko, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
Ms. Bucsko’s career spans more than 20 years. She has had progressive responsibility in a variety of industries and has successfully managed and participated in initial public offerings, multi-million-dollar projects and a variety of acquisitions. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Accounting with a minor in Business Administration from the College of St. Benedict.

Jeff Wilson, Senior Vice President of Operations
Mr. Wilson is responsible for the company’s manufacturing, supply chain, engineering, and maintenance among other support functions. His career spans 35 years in the packaged food industry. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Marketing from Indiana University and a Master of Business Administration degree from Golden Gate University.

Stacey Fowler, Senior Vice President and General Manager
Ms. Fowler is responsible for the Fusion Culinary Center, which encompasses the operations of the company’s foodservice business, research and development and quality assurance. She has over 16 years of experience in the food industry including ten years in senior management. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Food Science from North Dakota State University and a Master of Business Administration degree from the Carlson School of Management at the University of Minnesota.

Rob McKenzie, President of Bellisio Foods Canada and Executive Vice President of Bellisio Foods
Mr. McKenzie rejoined Bellisio Foods in 2007 and oversees all company activities in Canada, currently the largest market for Bellisio Foods outside the United States. He has over twenty years of management and marketing experience, primarily in the food sector. He holds an Honours Bachelor of Mathematics from The University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario and a Master of Business Administration degree from Wilfrid Laurier University, Waterloo, Ontario.

jeff tuttle, Vice President and General Manager of Creative Growth Group and Joy of Cooking
Mr. Tuttle joined Bellisio Foods in 2006 and is responsible for general management of its strategic growth initiatives such as Joy of Cooking and Family Table Brands and various strategic partnerships. He has over 20 years of marketing and executive general management experience in the consumer products industry in Fortune 100 and smaller companies alike. He holds a BA degree from the Colorado College and a MBA from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor.

Joel Spoonheim, Vice President of Development
Mr. Spoonheim leads strategic planning and projects related to company growth.  He has over 15 years of planning, analysis, and development experience.  He is co-founder of a democracy and leadership development organization and in 2006 ran for Secretary of State with Minnesota’s Independence Party. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Luther College and a Master of Planning degree from the University of Minnesota.

EXECUTIVE OFFICES are located at:

1201 Harmon Place, Suite 302
Minneapolis, MN 55403
612.371.8222