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Patrick Criteser
CEO at Tillamook County Creamery Association
Patrick Criteser is an experienced executive who served as the President and CEO of Tillamook County Creamery Association (TCCA) from August 2012 to 2024.35 During his 12-year tenure at Tillamook, he led significant growth, increasing revenue by over 250% and establishing Tillamook as one of the leading food brands in the U.S.1
Prior to joining Tillamook, Criteser held several leadership positions:
- President and CEO at Coffee Bean International (2004-2012)24
- Co-CEO of Farmer Brothers (2011-2012)14
- Principal at SmartForest Ventures, a Portland-based venture capital fund6
Criteser also held management and strategic development roles at notable companies such as Nike, The Walt Disney Company, and Procter & Gamble.16
In terms of education, he holds an MBA from Harvard University and an undergraduate degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Washington.26
As of December 2024, Patrick Criteser has taken on the role of Chief Executive Officer at Nature Fresh Farms, Inc., a leading North American grower of sustainable greenhouse produce.12
Throughout his career, Criteser has been involved in various boards and organizations, including:
- Director at StanCorp Financial Group, Inc. (since 2020)2
- Board member of the Oregon Business Council2
- Board member of The Oregon Community Foundation2
- Board member of Hampton Resources, Inc.2
Patrick Criteser is known for his track record of leading growth and positive transformation in companies of various sizes, with a focus on the food and beverage industry.6
Highlights
After 12 incredible years, I’m sharing my plans to step down as President & CEO at Tillamook County Creamery Association. Our Board of Directors has selected David Booth to succeed me following my departure later this year.
When I was offered my dream job 12 years ago, I had a vision of building an organization with a challenger mindset and a determination to grow without compromising our legacy for doing good.
That vision has been realized, and I have accomplished what I hoped to achieve for the farmer-owners of this amazing cooperative, so I’ve decided that the time is right for this transition. Serving in this role has been the greatest honor of my professional career, and I am absolutely certain that our board has chosen the right person to succeed me in David.
While the decision to leave was not easy, I am incredibly grateful to have the opportunity to work with a dedicated and passionate team, and I’m so proud of what we have achieved together. We have made bold decisions, worked tirelessly, and transformed a regional heritage brand with exceptional products into a $1.3 billion business. Today we are one of the fastest-growing food brands in the country and one in four American households buy Tillamook cheese, ice cream and other dairy products. This growth has strengthened our farmer-owners, created many job and advancement opportunities for our employees, and enabled us to positively impact the communities where we live and work.
I don’t know yet what this next chapter will hold for me, but I do know that I am leaving Tillamook in the best possible shape and in the best possible hands. No matter what my future holds, I will always remain a proud Tillamook fan!
Our community lost an incredible and truly original leader this week – Bob Moore, founder of Oregon-based whole grain food brand Bob's Red Mill.
As the leader of another Oregon-based heritage brand, I admired Bob for his impact on the local food industry and his dedication to his people. In 2010, he transferred ownership of the company he and his wife Charlee founded to his employees, the people who helped his business grow. Today, more than 700 employees own the business, and Bob’s Red Mill offers 200+ products in more than 70 countries. That is quite a legacy that I encourage everyone to read about here: https://lnkd.in/dZTzW5_a
On behalf of everyone at Tillamook, our hearts go out to Bob’s family and all of Bob’s Red Mill employees. Thanks for everything, Bob. We are all better and healthier because of you.
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