MAHASKA - Key Persons
As CFO of Mahaska, Aaron Goodman is responsible for all financial activity of the company. This includes the financial functions of Accounting, Financial Planning & Analysis, and Financial Information Systems. He has been with Mahaska since the 4th Quarter of 2016.
Prior to joining Mahaska as CFO, Goodman held several financial positions at large Fortune 500 Military Defense Companies. Having worked his way up from a Financial Analyst at BAE Systems, to a Manager of Finance at Rockwell Collins, he then became the Controller of one of the largest divisions at L-3 Communications. Following this, Goodman moved into the private sector, becoming the CFO of a company in the Construction Industry in North Texas, before ultimately joining Mahaska.
Goodman holds a Bachelor's degree from Binghamton University's School of Management where he graduated Summa Cum Laude. Goodman also obtained his Masters of Business Administration Degree from the University of Massachusetts Amherst.
Goodman spends his free time playing hockey and traveling, mostly coupled with seeing his favorite hockey team the New York Rangers play on the road. Originally from Long Island, Goodman spent most of his early career upstate in Binghamton, New York where he still maintains a footprint. Goodman later relocated to Mississippi for a year before ultimately moving to Texas. Goodman is based out of the Dallas office at Mahaska, which next to Binghamton, he now considers his 2nd home.
Job Titles:
- Chief of Operations ( Kansas )
As Chief of Operations in Kansas, Alan Michaud challenges his team to perform to the highest standard while overseeing the day-to-day operations and general management of the soft drink and snack operations. He embraces technology and change to improve processes, communication and company culture while remaining true to Mahaska's core values and driving strategic business initiatives. Michaud oversees operations at the Salina location and has been instrumental in expanding business in the Wichita market.
Starting in 1996 as a Route Director/Warehouse Manager for the Concordia, KS warehouse, Michaud oversaw the distribution and storage of products. He played a key role in the expansion of snack operations in the area and implemented a new delivery system to streamline grocery store distribution. After a restructure in 2001, the Concordia warehouse closed and Michaud's role relocated to the Salina office. He supervised several routes and was eventually promoted to Express Route Director in 2010, managing beverage distribution for large grocery stores throughout the territory. In 2017, he took on the role of Marketing Manager and oversaw the full scope of the sales and marketing functions for the Kansas beverage and snack operations in Salina and Wichita. In 2020, Michaud was appointed Chief of Operations.
When he is not at work, you can find Michaud completing woodworking projects in his shop, riding his Harley or spending time with family.
Michaud is a graduate of Clifton Clyde High School and completed courses at Cloud County Community College. He has also completed leadership training with Dale Carnegie.
As CEO of Mahaska, Branden Muhl drives overall vision and strategy for the company. He is a fifth generation family owner of Mahaska (seventh generation overall), continuing more than a century of heritage in formulating, manufacturing, marketing, and distributing food and beverage products. Having grown up in Kansas and worked in Mahaska facilities all over the Midwest, Muhl has always taken a strong interest in the family business. He purchased Mahaska in 2012 upon the retirement and transition to Chairman of the Board by his father, Bradley Muhl, continuing the tradition of consolidated ownership under a single leader that was revived under Brad.
Muhl continues to expand upon his father's business development efforts at Mahaska by building an independently owned brand portfolio and engaging in territorial expansion. In addition, he oversees Mahaska's marketing strategy, which is consistent with its independent bottling roots while also improving customer experience with new technology and a fresh look. While Mahaska will continue to innovate, Muhl is steadfast in maintaining the timeless, traditional feel of the bottling company that he grew up with in the Midwest.
Prior to his current roles, Muhl spent eight years on Wall Street as an equity portfolio manager where he focused on healthcare equities. He continues his investment activities by way of B Group Capital, his own long-short equity investment company that specializes in biotechnology, genetic sequencing, and molecular diagnostics opportunities.
Currently, Muhl is involved in management of diverse business interests, serves on multiple Boards of Directors, and is involved in a number of organizations across various industries. These businesses and organizations include: Museum of Ice Cream, B Group Capital, Greystone Hotel Miami, Independent Bottler's Association (IBA), JOMAST, and YPO (Dallas Chapter).
Muhl holds a Bachelor's degree from The University of Michigan Stephen M. Ross School of Business where he graduated Summa Cum Laude.
Job Titles:
- Chief Marketing Officer
- Brand Manager for Odin Brands
As CMO of Mahaska, Chad Irving is responsible for Mahaska's marketing strategy. With a strong focus on long-term growth and business expansion, Irving oversees marketing communication, market research, distribution management, and product development including sales management and pricing. He has been with Mahaska since 1999 in several different roles with the company.
In the 6 years prior to his appointment as CMO, Irving served as a Marketing Director where he specialized in brand development and creation of marketing plans to achieve optimal market share, pricing, and growth. Early in his career at Mahaska, he managed critical customer relationships while streamlining distribution systems as a Route Director. Before Mahaska, Irving worked for SuperValu Foods based in Des Moines, IA as a food specialist and store manager. At SuperValu, he implemented category management processes into the distribution system.
In addition to his role at Mahaska, Irving also serves as brand manager for Odin Brands, an endurance-focused food and beverage company specializing in athletic products.
Irving graduated from Indian Hills College Telecom Engineering School with a degree in Applied Technology.
As Chief of Staff of Mahaska, David Chang is responsible overseeing and executing corporate strategies, organizational priorities, potential synergies, and long-term growth initiatives. Seen as the defacto leader within the organization, he functions as the critical communication bridge between all employees and ownership. Chang's role also includes project management with various outside agencies that assist all the Mahaska related entities. Lastly, Chang is accountable for managing Mahaska's Purchasing, Over the Road, Human Resources & Information Technology departments. His previous title at Mahaska was Executive Vice-President, Office of the President.
Before joining Mahaska in 2014, Chang was the General Manager of a family owned global freight forwarding and logistics corporation. With 10 years of international business knowledge and experience, Chang brings a unique global mindset and leadership style to Mahaska. He has extensive knowledge in air/sea/land logistics, international and domestic trade laws, U.S. Customs and Border Protection import and export laws, IATA/IMO Dangerous Goods/Hazardous Materials transport guidelines, and U.S. Department of Homeland Security shipping regulations.
In addition to his role at Mahaska, Chang also oversees Quality Assurance and Production for Odin Brands, an endurance focused food and beverage company specializing in athletic products.
Chang holds a Bachelor's degree from The University of Michigan - Ann Arbor in Sociology.
Job Titles:
- Chief of Operations ( IA )
As Chief of Operations of Mahaska in Iowa, Paul Fenton oversees all operations and is continuously looking for ways to improve efficiency. Fenton is responsible for the day-to-day general management of the soft-drink business but has also been a driving force behind Mahaska's expansion into the extended territories as well as the beer business.
Fenton joined Mahaska in 1993. He was hired in the warehouse loading trucks and helping to manage the Newton, IA warehouse. In 1994, Fenton was promoted to Route Sales where he managed a route in the Newton area. In 1997, Fenton departed Mahaska and worked for Fred Nesbit Distribution in Des Moines, IA running various routes over the next ten-year period. In 2001 and 2003 he was awarded the sales person of the year along with winning a grand prize of a 2001 Ford Mustang. In 2007, Fenton returned to Mahaska to continue route sales until 2008 when he was promoted to an Express Manager, managing the major grocery store division. In 2014, Fenton was again promoted to Sales & Marketing Director for Mahaska Iowa- Fenton spearheaded the initiative to expand Mahaska's direct-store delivery distribution territory by almost 6 times. During this same time period, he also led the greenfield development of the Mahaska beer distribution system. In 2019, Fenton was promoted to Chief of Operations.
Fenton spends his free time hunting and spending time with his family.
Fenton is graduate of PCM High School of Monroe Iowa, Fenton is also a graduate of multiple Dale Carnegie courses.
As CIO of Mahaska, Peyton Berkeley is responsible for the improvement, maintenance and oversight of Mahaska's strategic business development program. With a focus on optimizing overall profitability, Berkeley oversees new business development driving efficient capital allocation across Mahaska's existing and potential brand portfolio.
Prior to his current role, Berkeley spent six years on Wall Street as an equity and fixed-income investment adviser where he focused on the healthcare sector. He continues his investment activities by way of The B Group where he is co-portfolio manager of a long-short equity investment company that specializes in biotechnology, genetic sequencing, and molecular diagnostics opportunities. In recent years, The B Group has broadened its mandate to include private investments such as The Greystone & Santa Barbara Hotel redevelopment project in Miami Beach, FL.
Berkeley holds a Bachelor's degree from Virginia Tech University where he graduated Magna Cum Laude.
As Chief of Operations of Mahaska in Nebraska, Snodgrass is responsible for the day to day general management of the soft drink business and full line snack operations. He oversees the sales, marketing, and distribution of all products out of the Norfolk, O'Neill, and Humboldt distribution centers as well as the expansion of new products into the Omaha, Grand Island, and Sioux Falls markets.
Snodgrass joined Mahaska in May of 1997. He was hired as a Route Salesman in the Norfolk Warehouse. In 2001 he was promoted to Cold Drink Manager where he built up Mahaska's Cold distribution in the Convenience channel over the next several years. In 2005, he was promoted to Route Manager where he managed several routes out of the Norfolk Warehouse as well as all routes and personnel in the O'Neill Ne. warehouse. In 2015, he was again promoted to Sales & Marketing Director for Mahaska Nebraska. He has been a driving force in the growth of extended territories throughout this position. In 2021, Snodgrass was promoted to Chief of Operations.
Snodgrass spends his free time hunting, fishing, camping, and spending time with his family.
Snodgrass is a graduate of Neligh-Oakdale High School. He is active in his church, school and community serving on multiple boards.