Tom Ellinwood | Co-Founder, President & CEO
Following six years of service as a pilot in the U.S. Navy, Tom began his business career as General Manager of Omar Tool and Machine Co., a sub-component manufacturer of aerospace parts and systems for military aircraft and aerospace applications. He left Omar to enter the consumer packaged goods industry with Pet, Inc., where he rose to the position of Vice President and General Manager. With the acquisition of Pet by Pillsbury, Tom joined the Pillsbury Company as Group Vice President, responsible for a diverse $1 billion portfolio of businesses including consumer packaged goods brands, bakeries and printing companies. In 1995, working with venture capital partners, Tom orchestrated the spin-off of the $100 million Van de Kamp’s seafood business from Pillsbury, which, through internal growth, strategic acquisitions, and partnerships, he built into a $500 million business which was later acquired by Aurora Foods.
