David Rolston (pictured right) is retiring as CEO from Hatco Corp. on April 5 and being succeeded by Lorne Deacon (left).
Rolston spent 30 years at the Milwaukee-based designer and manufacturer of commercial foodservice equipment—and nearly 20 years as president and CEO.
When Deacon took over as president in June 2022, Rolston, who will remain on Hatco’s board of directors, started facilitating a smooth transition of leadership for the 800 employee owners of the Hatco employee stock ownership plan, the company said.
Deacon joined Hatco in 2018 as director of global marketing and product development. He was promoted to vice president of global marketing in 2019 and vice president in 2021.
He started his career in the banking and financial sector, then joined the foodservice industry in 2013, eventually in a leadership role with Elgin, Illinois-based Middleby Corp.
From the corporate offices in Milwaukee to its manufacturing facility in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin, Hatco Corp. is an employee-owned company with brands including ADM, American Range and Ovention Inc. Hatco has been in business since 1950. The company designs, produces and services sneeze guards and warming, toasting, holding, cooking, sanitizing and cooling equipment.
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