News/Noticias
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Estrada Communications Group, Inc.
(512) 335-7776

Lopez Foods, Inc. names newest officer.

Oklahoma City, OK (August 4, 1999) — Richard Garofolo, has been promoted to Assistant Vice President, Pork Division/Engineering, effective immediately. Garofolo joins four others as officers of the $160 million a year company, which produces beef patties, pork sausage patties, pork chorizo and Canadian-style bacon for the McDonald's restaurant system and Wal-Mart Stores worldwide. He joined Lopez Foods, the Oklahoma City-based, meat processing company, in May 1991, after spending 21 years at the Wilson Foods Corporation in numerous engineering capacities.

"This is a tremendous honor and reward for me," said Garofolo. "It has been our ambition to establish Lopez Foods as the industry's standard for product quality and customer service. I now am a greater part of the team that assures we reach that goal."

When Garofolo started in 1991, he was instrumental in the design and construction of Lopez Foods' existing facility. He was the organizer for such projects as the new beef cooler which holds an additional 550,000 pounds of trimmings, a new refrigeration room, new blending systems for both beef and sausage, and the Frigoscandia impingement freezer installation. Currently, Garofolo is working on designs for a new facility for future expansion.

"Since joining us over eight years ago, Rich has been instrumental in our company's growth and improvements," said John C. Lopez, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer from the company's 140,000 square feet, "state-of-the-art" meat processing plant. "His experience with Wilson provided him insights and experience necessary to strengthen our company's position as well as garner him a position to participate in the direction and growth of Lopez Foods," he added.

A graduate of the University of Omaha, where he majored in Industrial Engineering the Nebraska native's professional experience focuses primarily in the food and meat industries. Garofolo and wife Lynn have five children and four grandchildren, all of whom reside in the Oklahoma area.

"Rich is a great example of the dedication and professionalism fostered by Lopez Foods and displays the talent needed to participate in taking our company into the next millennium," explained Charlie Barajas, President. "His ability to transition from a successful Wilson career to the top operations positions within our company is reflective of a commitment to hard work, high standards and excellent management skills," he added.

The Lopez Foods team has recently made several promotions throughout the plant. Bob Taylor, Assistant Director of Engineering, will now focus on the beef issues; Ron Schwarz has been promoted to Assistant Director of Engineering-Pork. David O'Quinn has been promoted to Engineering Team Leader-Pork. In the Operations department, Richard Lane leads the Pork Operations as the Department Director along with Joe Hledik, Director of Pork and Dave Lopez, Pork Team Leader.

Lopez Foods, Inc. has averaged over $160 million in annual sales over the past five years. The company is committed to providing its customers with the best quality and value in products and service, while maintaining low costs. Lopez Foods is ranked sixth among U.S. Hispanic-owned, manufacturing companies and 21st of the nation's 500 largest in total revenues, according to Hispanic Business magazine. The company employs over 300 associates, who operate the facility 24-hours a day, making it one of Oklahoma's largest employers and sales leaders.

(return to top)
(return to Media Release master page)