Wyandot Snacks > Who We Are

Our people are the heart of this company.

We began as a family-owned business. And today, we consider everyone on the Wyandot team family, our teammates. We all work together to achieve the company's goals. And as a result, our business grows.

Our Team

Paul Hritz

Senior Vice President of Sales

I serve as the Vice President of Sales, responsible for our talented sales team and all of the sales and partnering efforts for Wyandot Snacks. I have over 35 years of experience in leadership positions with Fortune 500 and mid-sized CPG and food manufacturing companies in all retail channels, contract manufacturing and food service in both the U.S. and Internationally. I’ve been involved in new product development and product launches throughout my career, helping our partners and our team achieve their goals. What I enjoy most is the team, their talents and our collaboration. We have an unselfish group, from top to bottom, that puts the success of our customers and the well-being of our community first. I aspire to serve others and to have a positive impact on those I meet. I love to bike ride, kayak, spend time outdoors, and get together with family and friends.

Alicia Sexton

Senior Manager of Sales

I am the Senior Manager of Sales. I have the privilege to work alongside an amazing group of individuals who help make our customers and each other successful. I also help further our company’s efforts of using business as a force for good. I have a Bachelors in Food Science from The Ohio State University and an MBA from Ohio University. I have over 10 years of experience working with food in quality assurance, regulatory compliance, product development, and sales. The best part of working at Wyandot is the team based culture and that all voices matter. Leadership also values continued education, career development, and strongly supports new and working moms. I would like to continue to pay it forward, and help those around me grow to be their best just as others have help me in the past. I love fishing, and have always loved fishing, catching new species, and traveling to new places to fish. Everywhere I go, I like to buy a magnet for the fridge.

Jeni St. John

Business Development Manager

I am a Business Development Manager, partnering with new and existing customers to make sure that day to day needs are taken care of. I’m a Food Scientist with a background in Product Innovation and Development. I transitioned to Sales in 2018 when given the opportunity to work closer with our partners to develop strong working relationships. Now, instead of working through the needs of a new product, I work through the needs of a new business. I came for the fast paced innovation, and stayed for the culture. Wyandot cares about our employees and our community in a way that makes me proud to work here. I want to help, in my own way, as many people as possible shift to a more health conscious diet. I’m a regular at Karaoke; movie soundtracks and comedic songs are my go-tos.

Carrie Harshbarger

Business Development Manager

I am a Business Development Manager. After graduating from Carleton College, I spent over 5 years training as a chef in some of Columbus’ best farm-to-table restaurants. Prior to Wyandot, I worked for a start-up hummus company doing everything from running their production kitchen, R&D, to eventually focusing on Sales and QA. Wyandot has all of the skills and resources of an industry leader while maintaining the community and workplace environment of a company that truly cares. I love hearing stories from people who have worked for Wyandot for over 20 years! I look to foster businesses that care about our communities and environment while helping to bring the best tasting, better-for-you snacks into the world. I love gardening, cooking, exploring the beautiful nature trails Ohio has to offer and spending time with my friends and family.

Angie Auer

Senior Director of Product Development

I am the Senior Director of Product Development and work to transform snacking by merging customer visions with product development expertise. I have been in the food industry for over 15 years and have a degree from Purdue University. I like seeing new products come to life from concept to commercialization and collaborating with different departments. I aspire to develop new leaders. I like being out in nature.

Ravi Chermala

V.P. of Quality and Food Safety

I am the Vice President of Quality and Food Safety. I am also an accomplished Food Safety and Global Quality Management Systems leader in the development, execution and management of Food Safety, Quality, Food Defense and Sanitation programs. My track record includes over 23 years of successful experience encompassing a variety of food products and technology. I have a M.J. in Global Food Law, a M.S. in Food Safety as well as a M.S. in Microbiology, and an MBA. I am actively involved in many different professional activities which are all tied to the enhancement of the food industry while also contributing to the development of new leaders. It is my huge honor and privilege to be a part of an amazing team such as that of Wyandot’s who go above and beyond all expectations to achieve excellence in food safety and quality. Outside of work, I like to spend time with my family and friends. I also like traveling to other countries and learning about their cultures.

Ed Covington

Director of Procurement

I am the Director of Procurement and I joined Wyandot in December of 2018. I have over 20 years in the Consumer Goods Packaging Industry with The J.M. Smucker Company supporting and leading operations, planning and procurement. I really enjoy the people and the can do attitude from the entire Wyandot team. We have fun and get things done. I aspire to deliver value through our supply base, improve and expand our systems and grow my team to be able to tackle challenges or opportunities that come our way. I enjoy playing basketball but with social distancing this has been placed on hold for the short term.

Tanya Rodriguez

Director of Human Resources

My role is to collaborate with all and to focus on a rewarding employee experience. I am an experienced Human Resources leader with over twenty years of transportation, distribution, manufacturing, warehouse and supply chain experience. My experienced skill set includes leadership, motivation, communication, employee relations, labor relations, training, recruiting, retention, and analytical planning. What I enjoy the most in my short time working at the Company is the genuine spirit of cooperation and shared goals that revolve around helping others. I aspire to be the best person, leader, advocate, collaborator and team member I can be. Aside from traveling and watching my beloved Steelers and movies, my favorite past time is shoe shopping. One can never have enough shoes.

Steve Shamrock

V.P. of Finance

I am the Vice President of Finance. Before joining Wyandot Snacks in 2021, I served in various leadership roles with Materion Corporation, The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company, and KPMG LLP. I received my BSBA from John Carroll University and have over 25 years of diverse experience in Finance, including controlling, investor relations, operational finance, and treasury. The culture and exciting growth profile attracted me to Wyandot Snacks, and I look forward to working with my teammates to build on the success of this great company. I enjoy golf and travel.

Mike Wells

Senior V.P. of Operations

I am the SVP of Operations. I manage operations and mentor the team while making sure they have the tools to succeed. My entire career has been in snack food manufacturing from maintenance and engineering to leadership roles. I am honored to be able to work with the Wyandot team. We have a team that takes ownership of their areas from the production floor to the front office. I aspire to develop the next generation of leaders while improving efficiency and keeping our team safe. I like to travel and explore new places.

Don Mount

Senior Advisor

I am the Senior Advisor to all teammates at Wyandot as well as to our community and snack industry. I have been with Wyandot since the mid 1970’s starting the Quality Assurance and Product Development areas of the company – then transitioned into Operations running our plants before moving to the Sales area for most of the past 20 years. I have enjoyed seeing the major changes and growth at Wyandot and watched the children and grandchildren of teammates coming into the company and helping them succeed and grow into new and increased responsibility at Wyandot. I want to see the growth and success of my family, Wyandot and our community.

Bob Wentz, C.P.A.

Exec. V.P. Finance & C.F.O.

I am the Chief Financial Officer and Member of the Executive Committee of the Company. I have an extensive background in accounting, tax, banking, insurance, contract/legal and financial management & reporting. My areas of responsibility include Finance, Accounting, I.T. and Procurement/Materials. I work with outstanding people who make outstanding products. The culture is heavily reliant on collaboration and teamwork which leads to a high degree of trust and success. Among my primary goals, one in particular is helping the Company expand geographically, including additional production facilities. I ride motorcycles to unwind and relax.

Rob Sarlls

President and CEO

I am the leader of a fantastic group of teammates. My job is to provide the strategy, tools, and inspiration to achieve great things for our customers (both large and emerging) and all stakeholders, including our team. With strong foundations in finance, strategy, and sales, I have spent over 25 years fully focused on the food industry – the past ten in senior operational and leadership roles with plant-based food companies. We collaborate and share ideas and make consensus decisions around how to best serve our customers, make great snacks, and take care of each other and the broader community. We have a phenomenal culture of inclusion and diverse perspectives that enrich all we do. I would like to see all our teammates fully empowered to achieve their professional goals at Wyandot, and one day I would like us to be the leader in snacks that are individually tailored to their DNA and need state. I like binge watching independent movies and alternative history TV series and visiting new ballparks and sports arenas around the world.