Steven J. Bresky, president and chief executive officer of Seaboard Corp., died on July 10 in Kansas City, MO, at the age of 67.
“It is with a heavy heart that we announce the sudden passing of Steven J. Bresky, president, CEO and chairman of the Board of Seaboard,” the company said in a statement released on July 13. “The entire Seaboard family mourns this loss. On behalf of our board of directors, management team and employees, we extend our deepest sympathies to Steve’s wife, Ellen, and children, Elizabeth and Jack.”
Steve was the third generation Bresky to lead Seaboard in its 102-year history and was appointed as President, CEO and Chairman of the Board in 2006. Steve led and grew the company substantially to where Seaboard is today. His exceptional work ethic, long term commitment to Seaboard’s partners and businesses, mandate that the company produce quality products, and unwavering desire to always do the right thing were integral to the company’s success and made him truly one of a kind.
Steve was married to Ellen Bresky for 34 years. He leaves behind his loving children Jack and Elizabeth Bresky, and his faithful dogs Rita & Louie. Born in Boston, MA, to Suzy and Harry Bresky, joining his sister Patty, and finally settling in Kansas City, MO, in 1977.
Following in his father’s footsteps, he began a modest career at Seaboard Corporation and honed his skillset to become a trusted, inspiring leader, growing the company to new heights. He enjoyed getting to know people from all walks of life and never missed an opportunity to laugh with others. A loved and loving man, he leaves behind devoted family, countless friends and lasting business relationships that have stood the test of time.
He built and nurtured an able and long-tenured management team. Steve’s children, Jack and Elizabeth, and Steve’s nephew David Steinbrink, are proud members of the Seaboard team.
Seaboard’s Board of Directors expects to name a successor President/CEO in the near future.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to the Center for Practical Bioethics, 1111 Main Street, Suite 500, Kansas City, MO 64015, or Kansas City Hospice & Palliative Care, 1500 Meadow Lake Pkwy, Suite 200, Kansas City, MO.
About Seaboard
Seaboard Corp., Shawnee Mission, KS, employs more than 25,000 people worldwide at our subsidiaries and affiliates. The company has net sales over $5 billion annually.
Seaboard Corp. is comprised of a group of uniquely integrated and innovative companies with a broad global presence, including: Seaboard Foods, an integrated producer of premium pork products, and a leading pork producer and processor in the United States; Seaboard Marine, a containerized shipping service between the United States, the Caribbean, and Central and South America; and Commodity Trading and Milling, an international grain processing and trading business with primary operations in Africa, Europe, South America, and the Caribbean.
