Midwest Foods Expands Leadership Team with 3 New Appointments

Strategic Hires Reflect Commitment to Continued Growth and Excellence at Chicago’s WBENC-Certified, Women-, Locally-, and Family-Owned Food Distributor

CHICAGO — As part of its continued commitment to growth and innovation, Midwest Foods is pleased to announce the addition of three experienced leaders to its executive team: Kristie Waters as Senior Vice President of Revenue Strategy, Laurie Jochmann as Senior Director of National Sales, and Carissa Remitz as Director of Marketing & PR.

With these new leadership appointments, Midwest Foods is poised to strengthen its service offerings, enhance its marketing efforts, and further solidify its position as a trusted, sustainability-focused food distributor in the Midwest. These strategic hires reflect Midwest Foods’ focus on expanding its footprint in the foodservice industry – while maintaining the highest levels of quality and food safety – and continuing to support underrepresented local-, diverse-, and family-owned farms.

“Kristie, Laurie, and Carissa bring a wealth of experience and a strong commitment to our core values of community, service, and sustainability. Their leadership will be essential in driving the growth of Midwest Foods as we expand both our offerings and into new markets,” said Erin Fitzgerald, President of Midwest Foods. “We’re excited to welcome them to the team and look forward to the impact they will make as we continue to serve our partners and grow our presence in the foodservice industry.”

Kristie Waters, Senior Vice President of Revenue Strategy

Kristie Waters drives the overall growth strategy for Midwest Foods, bringing more than 20 years of leadership experience across sales strategy, operational performance, and business transformation in the foodservice and retail sectors. She launched her career in the produce industry, working hands-on with farms and distributors to build a deep understanding of the supply chain. Early on, she spearheaded the expansion of the local and sustainable food movement across the Southeast and advanced food access initiatives as a member of the Jefferson County Food Policy Council.

Prior to joining Midwest Foods, Waters served as Vice President of the PRO Division at Leslie’s, where she led a $190 million B2B segment to record-breaking growth and profitability. She also held key leadership roles at PRO*ACT USA and founded Grow With Waters, a consulting firm focused on scaling small and mid-sized businesses. A passionate industry advocate, Waters has held leadership roles with the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, the former agencies of the Produce Marketing Association, and the United Fresh Distributor/Wholesale Board that combined are now the International Fresh Produce Association.

Laurie Jochmann, Senior Director of National Sales

Jochmann brings more than 25 years of leadership experience in broadline distribution, sales operations, and contract management to her role as Senior Director of Managed Sales at Midwest Foods. In this strategic, results-driven position, she leads national and regional account strategies, driving the growth of the company’s managed account portfolio while aligning sales efforts with overall business objectives. She collaborates closely with cross-functional teams and executive leadership to strengthen customer relationships, optimize performance, and enhance profitability.

A graduate of the University of Wisconsin–Madison with a Bachelor of Science in Nutrition and Food Science, Jochmann began her foodservice career at Sysco Foods, where she held progressively senior roles over 17 years. She later brought her expertise to Navigator Healthcare GPO, where she served as Senior Director of Corporate Development, making significant contributions in business development, operations training, contract management, and strategic growth initiatives. Jochmann is also a certified ServSafe Instructor and Proctor through the National Restaurant Association, underscoring her continued commitment to education and excellence in the foodservice industry.

Carissa Remitz, Director of Marketing & PR

Carissa Remitz leads marketing strategy at Midwest Foods, driving brand growth, customer engagement, and market expansion. A lifelong advocate for fresh, seasonal ingredients, she brings a unique blend of culinary expertise and strategic storytelling to her role. Remitz built her career at the intersection of food and communications, with early experience at the San Francisco Chronicle’s Food & Wine sections, followed by nearly two decades in PR and marketing leadership at Wagstaff, serving top hospitality brands nationwide.

Based in Chicago, Remitz is a committed industry leader. She co-founded and directs Together Hospitality, a network supporting the Chicagoland restaurant community, and previously served on the associate board of Green City Market, advancing sustainable food initiatives. At Midwest Foods, she channels her passion and expertise into accelerating growth and strengthening connections between chefs, farms, and communities.

ABOUT MIDWEST FOODS
Midwest Foods is Chicago’s WBENC-certified, women-, locally-, and family-owned food distributor, proudly serving chefs, institutions, and culinary professionals across Illinois, Wisconsin, and Indiana. With a strong focus on community, service, and commitment, Midwest Foods provides fresh, sustainable solutions tailored to the evolving needs of the foodservice industry. The company is dedicated to supporting underrepresented local-, diverse-, and family-owned businesses, while also sourcing beyond the region when needed to ensure consistency, quality, and availability year-round. Midwest Foods offers chef-driven convenience items and labor-saving ingredients, backed by more than 150,000 square feet of facility space in Chicago and Kenosha. Its SQF-certified processing rooms and full prep kitchen ensure food safety, consistency, and efficiency from farm to plate. Learn more at midwestfoods.com and follow Midwest Foods on LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook.