IRVINE, Calif. — Golden State Foods (GSF), one of the largest diversified suppliers to the foodservice and retail industries, is pleased to announce the promotions of three leaders. In GSF’s Irvine, California corporate global headquarters, promotions include Ken Mance to group vice president, human resources and labor, as well as Dave Norman to group vice president, corporate controller. Based in Arkansas City, Kansas, Bryan Bartee will now serve as group vice president, operations for the company’s KanPak Kansas dairy products facility.
With oversight of labor relations and employee relations, as well as engaging, supporting, and aligning with business leaders throughout GSF’s global enterprises, Ken Mance will implement and coordinate human resources (HR) strategies, policies, and programs that support the organization’s business objectives and goals. After joining GSF in 2022 as group vice president, global field human resources, he provided impactful leadership in numerous areas of HR management for employment, wage and salary administration, Equal Employment Opportunity compliance, labor relations, succession planning and staffing, change management, and leadership development.
“Ken’s depth of human resources and labor experience has enabled him to make an immediate impact at GSF,” said Ed Rodriguez, GSF’s corporate senior vice president and chief human resources officer. “He has established strong relationships with our key leaders in the field, which will ensure the success of future strategies focused on staffing, retention, and engagement.”
Prior to joining GSF, Mance attained two decades of HR management experience with organizations such as the Dairy Farmers of America (City of Industry, California), Dean Foods (Grand Rapids, Michigan), Frito Lay Inc. (Allen Park, Michigan), and Rite Aid Corporation (Pontiac, Michigan), among others. For six years, he professionally coached the Davenport University men’s USA Rugby Division I-A team, based in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Health Care Systems Administration from Ferris State University (Big Rapids, Michigan) and a Bachelor of Science in Human Resources Management from Urbana University (Urbana, Ohio).
In his new role, Dave Norman will be responsible for all areas relating to the financial accounting process to maximize financial returns of all stakeholders by establishing financial policies, procedures, controls, and reporting systems. Since joining GSF in 2021 as corporate controller, he has successfully implemented a new software platform to support the company’s adoption of the new leasing accounting standard.
“We truly value Dave’s leadership, contributions, and positive approach to business,” said Brad Tingey, GSF’s corporate senior vice president and chief financial officer. “He has gained a tremendous amount of trust in his time with our company. His ability to manage multiple competing priorities and at the same time assist others is exemplary! We’re looking forward to his leadership in this new, expanded role and the benefit he can bring to GSF’s businesses worldwide.”
Before joining GSF, Norman held senior leadership roles in corporate finance with Interior Logic Group (Irvine, California), The Bruery (Placentia, California), The New Home Company (Aliso Viejo, California), and One Distribution (Fountain Valley, California). A Certified Public Accountant, he started his career with PricewaterhouseCoopers (Irvine, California) in the Audit and Assurance practice, after graduating from Chapman University (Orange, California) with Bachelor of Science degrees in Accounting and Finance (dual majors).
At KanPak, Bryan Bartee will provide leadership and direction for the Arkansas City, Kansas facility’s operating activities and ensure the attainment of all quality, cost, timeliness, safety, and customer satisfaction objectives, as well as company financial and growth goals. He previously directed aseptic dairy products operations for KanPak’s Arkansas City, Kansas facility as senior director of operations. Earlier in his 10-year career with the company, Bartee led the Penn Yan, New York facility as managing director and more recently served in an operational leadership role with GSF’s Liquid Products North America location in Burleson, Texas.
“Bryan brings a rich background and wealth of experiences that have supported businesses across Golden State Foods,” said Chad Buechel, president, KanPak U.S. “His valued expertise and proven operational leadership will position our Dairy Products and Liquid Products groups for further success in Kansas.”
After more than 20 years in leadership positions with the U.S. Navy, Bartee joined KanPak as the company’s first military-recruited new hire and served in various production management roles of increasing responsibility. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Technical Management from DeVry University (Orlando, Florida).
About Golden State Foods
Golden State Foods (GSF), one of the largest diversified suppliers to the foodservice and retail industries, feeds one billion people every day! Headquartered in Irvine, California, the multi-national company is values-based with proven performance in superior quality, innovation, and customer service. Established in 1947, GSF and its family of companies currently service 200+ leading brands (125,000+ restaurants/stores in more than 50 countries) from its 50 locations on five continents. Its core businesses include: manufacturing of liquid products, protein, produce, dairy/aseptic, and provides custom distribution services. The company employs approximately 6,000 associates and is management-owned and run. Golden State Foods also operates a national non-profit organization, the GSF Foundation.
