GALESBURG, ILL. — Western Smokehouse Partners promoted Doug Hankes to the newly created role of chief operating officer. The strategic move will support the company’s commitment to operational excellence, food safety and quality at a pivotal time of monumental growth.
In this new role, Hankes will oversee the company’s seven plants to lead operational efficiencies across all locations. He will play a critical role in Western Smokehouse Partners’ ongoing growth strategy, including two new plants and one expansion in 2025. Additionally, Hankes will lead the Food Safety Quality Assurance team, as well as the Research and Development team, to ensure that the company continues to deliver safe and innovative meat snack products to the market.
“Doug Hankes has been a key player in the growth of Western Smokehouse Partners,” said Matt Bormann, chief executive officer of Western Smokehouse Partners. “He is a pioneer of the better-for-you meat snack industry. Since our partnership began in 2019, the modern Western Smokehouse Partners has been built upon the foundation that Doug and the Hankes family built. His knowledge and expertise in the manufacturing of meat snack products has catapulted our organization to the highest level. We are confident that Doug’s leadership will continue to allow us to grow and expand even further.”…