Not many people today can say they have worked for the same company for 39-1/2 years. But Greg Leech, President/CEO at Beatrice Bakery Company can, or he can until June 1, 2018.
Since graduating Northwest Missouri State University in 1978, with a B.S. in accounting and finance, Greg has been employed by Grandma’s Bake Shoppe / Beatrice Bakery Company in Beatrice, NE. During the first 24 years he held positions as Office Manager, Controller then Operations Manager, under the company’s ownership/managements of Metz Baking, Specialty Foods, Earth Grains and Sara Lee. In 2002, Greg and six other local investors purchased Grandma’s Bake Shoppe and renamed the company to the today’s Beatrice Bakery Co. And now, on May 31, 2018, Mr. Leech will hang up his hat as head baker, ending his employment as the bakery’s President/CEO since 2010.
As President, Greg oversees production; product procurement of goods and packaging; and coordinates with all department heads on a daily basis. Mr. Leech has been a spokesperson for the bakery on the Food Network Unwrapped and Marilu Henner’s Art of Living. Plus, interviews with 10/11 News (CBS) Lincoln, NE, Nebraska Life magazine, Omaha World Herald, and Beatrice Daily Sun. He has been honored to provide former Nebraska Governors -Mike Johanns and Dave Heineman tours of the bakery. And, as an Honorary Admiral of the Nebraska Navy and active member of the Big Red Sub Club (serving the Nebraska Submarine) Greg has provided annual tours and holiday fruitcake donations to the crew.
In his 39-1/2 years at the bakery, Greg has seen tremendous growth in the company. In 1978 the bakery was making bread and only sold 3 sizes of the Grandma’s Fruit Cake. Today, Beatrice Bakery Co has well over 30 recipes, offers Private Label products and co-packing. The biggest change is managing all the FDA and State regulations for product nutrition and manufacturing practices. Greg’s favorite part of his job is being with all the great employees which he considers his work family. “The employees are the most important ingredient of our bakery.” He will greatly miss everyone, but he knows that under leadership of Mary Ellen Watkins, she will maintain the same integrity that their customers are accustomed too.
On June 1, 2018, a farewell OPEN HOUSE (open to the public) to wish Mr. Leech well in his retirement will be held from 2-4:00 pm at the Valentino’s Restaurant in Beatrice, NE.
At that time, Beatrice Bakery Co. welcomes Mary Ellen (Stanosheck) Watkins, who will take charge of the operation as the new President.
For the last 10 months Mary Ellen has been shadowing Mr. Leech to learn the trade. Ms. Watkins is not a stranger to the area as she grew up in Odell, NE and attended Duchesne College in Omaha. She then furthered her education in San Francisco, CA. In 1976 she went to work in Silicon Valley in Sales for KTI Chemicals and in 1982 she contracted with the California Dept. of Education where for 26 years she administrated a nutrition program that provided service to over 300 licensed daycare homes. In 2012, she returned to Nebraska and took employment with Beatrice Concrete for the last five years. Her desire is to continue the vision of Beatrice Bakery Company, honoring its reputation of “the best fruitcakes in the country”. She is grateful to Greg for the legacy he established. “I am so glad he is just a phone call away. There is so much knowledge and experience in his head that we still have to tap”.
Beatrice Bakery Co. is best known as the home of Grandma’s Fruit & Nut Cake which has been a holiday favorite since 1917. Besides the original flavor with bourbon, rum and brandy, one can enjoy Chocolate, No Sugar Added and Kosher Fruit & Nut Cakes, plus Chocolate Covered “Fruit & Nut Cake” Squares. Beatrice Bakery Co. also produces year-round favorites such as Banana Bread, Streusel Coffee Cakes, Artisan Fruit & Nut Cakes like Apple Cinnamon and Pineapple Macadamia Nut, plus Chocolate Rum and other Dessert Liqueur Cakes. Their products can be found in grocery and retail stores, plus catalog & internet venues throughout the US, Canada & Puerto Rico and some military bases around the world. Their baked goods are available year-round at the bakery at 201 South 5th Street in Beatrice, NE; by phone 1-800-228-4030; or on-line at www.beatricebakery.com.
Source: Beatrice Bakery Co.
