Quality Pork Processors and Albert Lea Select Foods recently announced that Kelly Wadding will retire from the position of president and CEO effective July 10, according to a press release. Nate Jansen will become the next president and CEO of both organizations upon Wadding’s retirement. Mel Gilbertson will continue as vice president/COO over both companies and Ken Kay will continue as vice president/CFO over both companies. Wadding will continue to be a partner in the business.

Wadding began his career in the pork processing industry in 1971 with Wilson Foods in Albert Lea.

This began a 45-year career in various leadership roles throughout the industry. Wadding started at QPP in 1993 as general manager and bought the company in 1997 from Richard Knight, its founder. He has served as president and CEO for over 20 years. Under Wadding’s leadership QPP has grown from 900 employees to more than 1,300 employees.

Wadding started Albert Lea Select Foods in July 2005 and has grown that company from 50 employees to over 500 currently.

Jansen began his career with QPP in 1999 as the quality services manager and then in 2005 was promoted to the general manager at ALSF. In 2012 he transitioned to the role of vice president of human resources and quality services at both companies. Jansen brings over 23 years of food processing experience with him.

“I am extremely proud and humbled to have been leading QPP and ALSF and for the tremendous growth we have experienced over the past decades,” Wadding said. “It has been an honor to work so closely with the wonderful people at these organizations and I know they will be in good hands with Nate and the team in place.”

“I want to thank Kelly for his years of leadership and for this opportunity,” Jansen said. “QPP and ALSF will continue to be leaders in worker safety, animal care and food safety and develop best practices and new ideas that will continue to move the industry forward. We have the best management team and employees in the industry and I look forward to the future and our continued success.”