Mrs. T’s announces new Chief Operating Officer

SHENANDOAH – A longtime employee at Shenandoah’s largest employer is now Chief Operating Officer.

Ateeco, Inc., producers of Mrs. T’s Pierogies, announced the promotion of LeeAnn Smulligan earlier this week.

She assumed the role Jan. 1, succeeding Mark Tarzwell who retired at the end of the year.

“It continues to be a privilege to work for Mrs. T’s Pierogies, an organization that values its people,” said Smulligan. “The brand fulfills its mission of making people smile from our associates to our customers, vendor and agency partners, and ultimately consumers. I am humbled and excited to lead a company whose values align so closely with my own. As we look to 2025, my focus will be on continued operational excellence, strategic planning, and fostering our growing brand loyalty.”

“Over the years, LeeAnn has been instrumental in driving success for Mrs. T’s, so I’m excited to see her step into the role of Chief Operating Officer,” said Tom Twardzik, owner, Ateeco, Inc. “She understands our business wholistically and her leadership, vision and genuine passion for our brand is unmatched. Under LeeAnn’s guidance, we’ll continue to grow, innovate and stay true to our strong company values.”

Smulligan has worked at Mrs. T’s as a marketing assistant in 2002 and rose through the marketing department, holding titles of Associate Marketing Manager, Category Development Manager, Director of Marketing, and Vice President of Operations.

She holds a bachelor’s degree in food marketing from St. Joseph’s University and an MBA from Alvernia University and, last year, she completed a course in the Wharton Executive Education Leadership Program.

Outside Ateeco, she is Secretary on the Board of Directors for Helping Harvest and is an active member of VISTAGE, a CEO coaching and peer advisory organization.

In 2024, she was honored as a recipient of the Frozen and Refrigerated Buyer FoRWARD Award (Frozen & Refrigerated Women Achieving Remarkable Distinction), a prestigious accolade celebrating her outstanding contributions to the frozen food industry, as well as her dedication to mentoring the next generation of female executives.

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