T. Marzetti names new Chief Research and Development Officer

WESTERVILLE, Ohio - T. Marzetti Company, a subsidiary of Lancaster Colony Corporation (NASDAQ:LANC), announced today the appointment of Judith Mondello as its new Chief Research, Development and Quality Officer. Mondello brings over 25 years of experience in the food and beverage industry to her new role, where she will oversee the company’s research and development, product innovation, quality assurance, and regulatory compliance.

Judith Mondello’s extensive background includes her most recent position as Senior Vice President of R&D at Campbell Soup Company. There, she led the R&D team for the Meals and Beverage Division, supporting various business units, including soup, broth, sauce, pasta, frozen meals, and beverages. Prior to her tenure at Campbell Soup, Mondello held R&D leadership roles at J.M. Smucker Company, working across different segments such as Consumer Foods and Strategic Innovation. Her earlier career also included positions at Sara Lee, McKee Foods, and Continental Baking Company.

Dave Ciesinski, President and CEO of Lancaster Colony, expressed enthusiasm for Mondello’s appointment, citing her technical knowledge and leadership experience as vital assets for T. Marzetti’s commitment to quality and innovation.

Dr. Steve Hill, who has been at the helm of the Research, Development and Quality organization since 2017, will retire later this year. He is set to transition into an advisory role and will work closely with Mondello in the coming months to ensure a smooth handover. Ciesinski acknowledged Hill’s significant contributions to the company, emphasizing the strides made in product innovation and quality standards under his leadership.

T. Marzetti Company, known for its specialty food products, is the name behind retail brands like Marzetti dressings and dips, New York Bakery garlic breads, and Sister Schubert’s dinner rolls. The company also holds exclusive license agreements with well-known restaurant chains for various sauces and dressings. With a market capitalization of $4.69 billion and annual revenue of $1.89 billion, Lancaster Colony demonstrates strong financial health, maintaining dividend payments for 55 consecutive years. According to InvestingPro analysis, the company currently trades near its Fair Value, with a comfortable dividend yield of 2.26%.

This leadership change comes as part of T. Marzetti’s ongoing mission to enhance meal experiences with high-quality, flavorful food, supported by a team dedicated to fostering strong customer relationships. The company’s strong financial position is evident in its excellent current ratio of 2.36 and minimal debt levels. InvestingPro data reveals 8+ additional key insights about Lancaster Colony’s financial health and growth potential, available in the comprehensive Pro Research Report, which provides deep-dive analysis of 1,400+ top US stocks. The information regarding Judith Mondello’s appointment is based on a press release statement from T. Marzetti Company.

In other recent news, Lancaster Colony Corporation has reported its financial results for the third quarter of 2025, showing a decline in both earnings per share (EPS) and revenue compared to forecasts. The company posted an EPS of $1.49, missing the expected $1.58, while revenue reached $457.84 million, falling short of the forecasted $483.95 million. Despite these challenges, Lancaster Colony achieved a record gross profit of $106 million, reflecting strong operational efficiency. The company’s gross margin improved by 90 basis points to 23.1%, indicating effective cost management. Additionally, Lancaster Colony announced the maintenance of its quarterly cash dividend at 95 cents per share, marking its 62nd consecutive year of dividend increases. In other developments, Benchmark analysts have maintained a Buy rating on Lancaster Colony with a price target of $185, following discussions with the company’s management about growth strategies and margin improvements. These recent developments highlight Lancaster Colony’s ongoing efforts to navigate a challenging market environment while focusing on growth and shareholder returns.

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