PHM Brands, which owns Panhandle Milling, announces Gina Steffens, PHM Brands former chief legal officer, will succeed John Mason and Bryan Ledgerwood as PHM Brands’ CEO.
Mason and Ledgerwood, who cofounded the business in 2016, will remain as managing directors. Ledgerwood will serve as chairman of PHM.
"Gina’s economics-first and results-driven approach, coupled with her close relationship with John and I, make her a natural fit to take PHM Brands to the next level," said Ledgerwood.
Steffens has held leadership positions in publicly traded companies. An executive with more than two decades of professional experience, the company said Steffens’ perspective has already directionally impacted company decisions this year as she restructures the suite of companies PHM owns.
Company restructure to focus on flour milling
"We have recently been more vocal that we are returning our focus to our core, which is flour milling," said Steffens. "And, while our family of agricultural and biotechnology-based companies complement each other, we will be strategically restructuring the enterprise to return priority to the core and focus on expansion in that space.”
PHM Brands’ Panhandle Milling, Energis Solutions and Viobin companies will each have dedicated leadership teams and will focus on continuing to build their own platforms.
- Panhandle Milling
For Panhandle Milling, this means two to three major growth projects in for 2023 and 2024 and positioning Panhandle Milling as a nationwide supplier of low micro and RTE mixes and flours.
“We are expanding through focusing on our core business as flour millers and already have significant projects underway in multiple locations,” said Steffens.
- Energis Solutions
PHM Brands subsidiary, Energis Solutions will no longer be a part of the PHM Brands’ portfolio of companies.
Energis is installing multiple Guardian machines in flour mills across the U.S. in 2023.
Kevin Lamar, a Stanford graduate and former NFL player, has been appointed president and general manager of Energis Solutions, which will be operated as an independent company.
- Viobin
Viobin offers natural vitamin E specialty oils and defatted wheat germ products.
"Viobin has reached the point where having its own dedicated leadership team outside of flour milling, focusing on what Viobin needs to continue to grow and thrive,” said Peter Bisaccia, PHM Brands’ president. “Viobin, as a developer of pet food ingredients and other supplements, has a diverse and distinct business portfolio that requires dedicated attention and expertise in this space.”
PHM Brands said it will explore options around transitioning Viobin to an independent operating structure in 2023.
Steffens concluded, "We have current strategic projects in full swing that will restructure PHM Brands while expanding our footprint, market reach and industry partnerships. And, I have to say that leading our exceptional team has already been the highlight for me.”
