Baldor Specialty Foods announced the retirement of its president, Michael Muzyk, Monday. He will retire at the end of the year.
Muzyk joined Baldor in 1996 as a sales representative when the company was operating out of a 25,000-square-foot space in Maspeth, Queens. His understanding of the culinary world and his experience in the kitchen at fine dining establishments played a vital role in his success as a Baldor salesperson, according to the company.
During his career, Muzyk played a pivotal role in the company’s expansion and success. He helped Baldor establish its 290,000-square-foot headquarters in the Hunts Point section of the Bronx, and then expanded service from Maine to Virginia, opening regional distribution centers in Boston, the suburbs of Washington, D.C., and Philadelphia. He expanded the company’s product catalog beyond produce to include specialty, dairy, and meat. He also led the acquisition of Pierless Fish and spearheaded the development of Fresh Cuts, Baldor's processed fruit and vegetable operation, which has now grown to employ over 300 workers.
"I’ve known Michael most of my life, and I can say that his dedication to Baldor over the years has been astounding. His career here has been defined by his huge heart and his unwavering commitment to our customers, vendors, and employees,” said TJ Murphy, CEO of Baldor, in a statement. "He’s touched thousands of lives and careers, including my own. I’m personally so grateful for his many contributions and his help transitioning this company from my father to me, and I wish him the best on a well-deserved retirement."
After Muzyk’s retirement, Murphy will continue to guide the strategic vision of the company along its current growth trajectory, according to the company. Both have been collaborating for more than a year to plan for succession and decided that they would not appoint another president. Instead, they have added eight people to the VP and SVP levels and will continue to hire key C-suite roles.
Related: Ahold Delhaize CEO Appointed Consumer Goods Forum Co-Chair; SpartanNash Names VP