Michael Galenson

VP of Operations

Michael, a USSR émigré and holder of a degree in Food and Restaurant Management from a college in Moscow, has a long history in the foodservice industry. Starting off as a restaurant manager first in his home country and then in the US, Michael joined Highland in 1996 as our plant manager. He is married with a daughter and lives in Northbrook, IL.

Nathan Norris

Plant Manager, Spartanburg

Nathan has over 40 years of experience in the baking industry. He holds a Degree in Business Management from Zane University in Ohio and completed the American Institute of Baking's Certified Baker Program in 2002. Nathan served in the United States Army in 1988 where he received extensive training in leadership, motivation, and empowerment. Nathan is a member of the American Society of Baking (ASB), he's served on its Board of Directors and is presently serving as it's Treasurer.

Adrienne Cash

Quality Assurance Manager, Spartanburg

Adrienne joined the Highland Baking Team in 2015 with over 16 years of experience working in the baking industry. She has worked for Flower's, Mrs. Smith's, Schwan's and Arytza Otis Spunkmeyer Bakeries. She grew up in Spartanburg, SC area which she currently resides.

Rudolph Abiera

Research and Development Manager

Rudolph has over 28 years in the bakery business - first opening his own retail bakery, then joining a commercial bakery in the QA area and then moving into R&D. He joined Highland as our R&D Manager. He currently resides in Pingree Grove, IL with his wife, three daughters and two grandsons.

Raul Rodriguez

Packaging Manager, Northbrook

Marco Nava

Production Manager, Spartanburg

Marco joined the Highland Baking family in 2012 with over 8 years of experience in the baking industry, with companies including Mrs. Smith's, Schwan's, Nestle and Spartan Foods of America. He grew up in Providence, Rhode Island and moved to Spartanburg, SC in 2003 where he currently resides with his wife and children.

Stacy Jo Thompson

Director of National Accounts

Stacy Jo came to Highland Baking Co. with more than 25 years of Chain and National Account sales experience. Before joining our family, she was most recently a team member at Icelandic USA and Maplehurst Bakeries, Inc. Stacy Jo and her husband reside on the West Coast of Florida.

Robin Slivovsky

Director of National Accounts

Robin has been in foodservice sales for over 20 years working with National and Regional Chain Accounts. Most recently she worked for McCormick Foods and spent time with Hormel and Sara Lee. She has experience with a wide variety of baked goods and their menu applications and through that knowledge helps chain accounts meet their menu needs through custom solutions. She lives in Arlington Heights, IL with her husband and two sons.

Rusty Hicks

Director of Retail Business Development

Rusty comes to Highland Baking with more than 20 years of experience in consumer products sales and marketing within the Grocery, Mass, Club, Dollar, Military and Natural Channels leading customer strategy. Most recently he worked for Dawn Foods, a global bakery ingredients and frozen product supplier, as Director of Sales for National Accounts. He is recognized for authentic leadership, integrity and consistently producing outstanding results over 20 years with Pillsbury, Kellogg Sales and Dawn Food Products. Rusty lives in Belmont NC with his wife and brood of Boston Terriers.

Brian Belot

Director of National Accounts

Brian came to Highland Baking with more than 20 years of sales and marketing experience in the Convenience Store channel. Most recently, he worked at Gehl Foods as the Director of Convenience Store Sales for North America. Brian has extensive experience in creating and implementing foodservice solutions that increase profitability for the nation's largest convenience store retailers. He lives in Madison, WI with his wife and three sons.

Catherine Policella

Director of Culinary CCP

Catherine has spent the last 17 years as a Concept Development Chef as well as a Culinary Manager and an Innovation Team Leader for several International Companies in the Bakery Manufacturing Industry. A graduate of the CIA and recipient of the Francis R. Roth Award for Outstanding Performance, Catherine's achievements include spearheading Innovation Programs based on consumer insights and the ever changing world market.