Jason Fritsch is our CEO, he assumed the role in January 2025. With over 18 years of experience leading Kagome Australia, Jason brings deep industry expertise and a collaborative, forward-thinking approach to his leadership. He began his career in the tomato processing industry in 2005 as General Manager of Field Operations for Cedenco, joining Kagome after their 2011 acquisition, and was promoted to CEO of Kagome Australia in 2016. An agronomist by training, Jason holds a Bachelor of Rural Science from the University of New England, Australia. He also served as President of the World Processing Tomato Council (WPTC) from November 2022 to June 2024, showcasing his global influence in the industry. Based in Los Banos, California, Jason is focused on driving innovation and growth at Kagome USA while strengthening partnerships worldwide.

Molly Miller serves as Chief Administration Officer (CAO) and Corporate Secretary of Kagome USA. As an Officer of the company since 2019, Molly oversees Human Resources, Finance, IT, Safety, and Corporate Governance, playing a pivotal role in advancing Kagome’s organizational strategy, operational excellence, and leadership development. Over her 26-year tenure, she has held key leadership roles, including Vice President of Human Resources, and has been instrumental in strengthening compliance, risk management, and corporate culture initiatives. Her leadership reflects a deep commitment to Kagome’s long-term success and mission-driven growth.

Takayuki Yamaguchi serves as Chief Strategy Officer at Kagome USA, spearheading strategic initiatives to drive growth, innovation, and market expansion for the company’s portfolio of sauces, condiments, and food solutions. With extensive experience in strategic planning and business development within the food industry, Taka plays a pivotal role in shaping Kagome’s long-term vision and strengthening its position as a global leader in customized food products. Taka brings a forward-thinking approach to aligning Kagome’s operations with emerging market trends and customer needs. His leadership in forging strategic partnerships and optimizing business processes has enhanced Kagome’s ability to deliver innovative, high-quality solutions to foodservice, retail, and manufacturing clients. Taka’s collaborative mindset and deep industry insight ensure that Kagome remains agile and competitive, consistently exceeding customer expectations while advancing sustainable growth.

Tomoko Shimizu serves as Vice President of Finance at Kagome USA, overseeing financial strategy, budgeting, and reporting to support the company’s growth and operational excellence. With extensive experience in financial management within the food industry, Tomoko ensures Kagome’s fiscal health, driving strategic initiatives that align with the company’s mission to deliver innovative, high-quality food solutions. Based in California, Tomoko brings a meticulous and strategic approach to financial planning, risk management, and process optimization. Her leadership has strengthened Kagome’s financial framework, enabling investments in product innovation and market expansion while maintaining operational efficiency. Tomoko’s collaborative style and deep industry knowledge make her a vital contributor to Kagome’s success, ensuring the company remains a trusted partner for customers and stakeholders.

Lily serves as Vice President of Corporate FSQR & CI , where she leads the company’s efforts to ensure the highest standards of food safety, quality, and regulatory compliance across its innovative sauce and condiment portfolio. With a proven track record of excellence in process optimization and meticulous documentation, Lily drives Kagome’s commitment to delivering safe, high-quality products to customers worldwide. Lily oversees the development and implementation of robust FSQR programs, ensuring compliance with industry standards and fostering a culture of continuous improvement. Her strategic leadership strengthens Kagome’s partnerships with foodservice and retail clients by guaranteeing product integrity and consumer trust.

Patty Gomes serves as Vice President of Supply Chain Management at Kagome USA, overseeing the end-to-end supply chain operations to ensure seamless delivery to customers. With over two decades of experience in supply chain leadership, Patty brings expertise in logistics, procurement, and operational efficiency, driving Kagome’s commitment to reliability and excellence. A graduate of California State University, Fresno, Patty has built a distinguished career optimizing supply chain processes for leading food industry organizations. Her strategic vision and collaborative leadership have strengthened Kagome’s supply chain resilience, enabling the company to meet growing demand while maintaining sustainability and quality standards. Based in Los Banos, California, Patty leverages her deep industry connections and data-driven approach to enhance operational performance and support Kagome’s mission of delivering innovative food solutions.

Jerry Wilson serves as Vice President of Operations at Kagome USA’s Osceola, Arkansas plant, where he oversees manufacturing, production efficiency, and operational excellence to deliver high-quality sauces and food products. With over two decades of experience in operations management, Jerry brings a proven track record of optimizing plant performance, ensuring food safety, and driving continuous improvement in the food manufacturing industry. Based in Osceola, Jerry leads a dedicated team, leveraging his expertise in process optimization and supply chain coordination to support Kagome’s commitment to quality and innovation. His strategic leadership ensures the Osceola plant operates at peak efficiency, meeting customer demand while upholding rigorous safety and sustainability standards.

Jaime Sandoval serves as Senior Director of Operations at Kagome USA’s Los Banos, California plant, where he drives operational innovation and efficiency to produce premium sauces and food products for global foodservice partners. With extensive experience in food manufacturing, Jaime excels in implementing cutting-edge production technologies and streamlining processes to meet evolving consumer demands.
Jaime leads a dynamic team, fostering a culture of collaboration and continuous improvement. His leadership in adopting advanced solutions has enhanced Kagome’s ability to deliver convenient, high-quality products while reducing waste. Jaime’s strategic oversight and commitment to operational agility ensure the Los Banos plant remains a cornerstone of Kagome’s mission to make the world a more delicious place through innovative food solutions.

Vernon serves as Senior Director of Product Innovation and Development at Kagome USA, leading the Research and Development team to create innovative, market-leading food solutions that delight customers worldwide. With over 20 years of experience in the food industry, Vernon is a visionary leader skilled in product development, culinary arts, and quality assurance, driving Kagome’s mission to deliver bold, customizable sauces and condiments. Prior to his current role, Vernon held leadership positions at Revolution Foods, Columbus Craft Meats, and Campbell Soup, where he spearheaded culinary innovation and customer-focused product solutions. A graduate of the University of California, Davis, with a B.S. in Food Science, Vernon combines scientific rigor with culinary creativity to elevate Kagome’s portfolio.

Mike Hudak serves as Senior Director of Sales at Kagome USA, leading the sales team to drive growth and strengthen partnerships across the foodservice, retail, and manufacturing sectors. With over 12 years at Kagome and 6 in sales leadership, Mike excels at building strategic relationships, identifying market opportunities, and delivering tailored food solutions that align with customer needs. Mike brings a customer-centric approach and deep industry expertise to Kagome, overseeing sales strategies for innovative products. His ability to connect with clients and navigate complex market dynamics has been instrumental in expanding Kagome’s presence and reinforcing its reputation for quality and innovation. Mike’s collaborative leadership and commitment to excellence ensure that Kagome remains a trusted partner, delivering value to customers nationwide.

Lori Krieger is the Senior Director of Marketing at Kagome USA. She brings extensive experience in the food and beverage manufacturing industry, with a focus on brand management, product marketing, digital marketing, and customer acquisition. Lori has a proven track record of developing and executing successful marketing strategies that drive growth and enhance brand visibility. Her entrepreneurial background includes owning a business in the food manufacturing sector, where she built a high-end food brand. She holds a B.A. and MBA and continues to lead Kagome USA’s marketing efforts with a passion for innovation and customer engagement.