ATCHISON, KS—Jason Zhao has been appointed to the position of managing director-Asia Pacific at MGP Ingredients, Inc. In this capacity, he will oversee all sales, operations and commercial activities for the company’s expanding markets in the Asia Pacific region. Brad Maier, who has been instrumental in developing those markets, will now concentrate his focus on markets in Europe and South America. He also continues to manage the company’s business activities in Japan.
“I am very pleased and excited to have Jason as a member of our international management team,” Maier said. “He is well qualified for his new position, the addition of which strengthens our abilities to meet the requirements of existing and future customers globally.”
Zhao joined MGP Ingredients in 2002 as director of market research. His responsibilities in that capacity included creating analyses used to influence management decision-making processes, quantifying market potential for the company’s product lines, gathering consumer and competitive intelligence and translating data to actionable marketing information. He also has served as director of business development, with involvement in strategic planning and financial analyses.
“Jason is an exceptionally talented individual with a remarkable range of business skills and knowledge,” said Tim Newkirk, president. “We are very confident in his abilities to help broaden our presence in the international marketplace. Our product portfolio includes some very unique ingredients that provide outstanding benefits in both food and non-food applications. Together with Brad Maier, Jason will perform an integral role in increasing the global appeal of those ingredients while also exploring additional avenues for future business development and growth.”
Zhao was formerly employed by the John Deere and Company and gained extensive experience in Asia where he worked for Siemens in China, Haw Par Brothers International in Singapore, and China National Technical Import & Export Corporation. A native of China, he received a bachelor’s degree in economics from the Shanghai Institute of Foreign Trade in 1989. He received a master’s degree in business administration from Duke University in 2001.
Zhao has been certified as a Professional Certified Marketer by the American Marketing Association, and is affiliated with the American Management Association and the Institute of Management Accountants. He and his wife Joanna, reside in Atchison, where she operates Zallery, a retail business they established and which specializes in Chinese decor, furniture and antiques.
About MGP Ingredients, Inc.
MGP Ingredients, Inc. is a fully integrated producer of ingredients and distillery products. Ingredients primarily consist of specialty and commodity wheat proteins and starches for food and non-food applications. The company also produces mill feed and distillers feed as by-products of its manufacturing processes. Through extensive research in protein and starch chemistry, MGPI continues to expand the depth and scope of its business. The company’s scientists focus their expertise on developing highly functional ingredients that provide substantial benefits and advantages to customers and ultimately to the consumer. Breakthroughs in recent years include a host of wheat-based and other plant-derived specialty proteins and starches created for use in multiple food systems, personal care products, pet products and plastic-like biobased and biodegradable items. MGPI’s food grade alcohol is produced for beverage and industrial applications. The company’s beverage alcohol consists primarily of vodka and gin and is sold in bulk form. Fuel grade alcohol is sold as an octane additive and oxygenate that is commonly known as ethanol.
MGP Ingredients, Inc. processes its products at plants located in Atchison, KS, where the company is headquartered, and in Pekin, IL. The company also operates a facility in Kansas City, KS, for the further processing and extrusion of proteins and starches derived principally from wheat, and a facility in Onaga, KS for the manufacturing of wood composite resins and plant-based biopolymers.
