Retail | Wholesale | Food | Beverage 2023: WILLIAM W. ‘BILL’ LOVETTE

Lovette was Sauer Brands’ executive chairman and interim CEO in 2019, when Charlotte, North Carolina-based Falfurrias Capital Group purchased Richmond-based family-owned spice company C.F. Sauer. He then made way for Martin Kelly, who became president and CEO of the renamed Sauer Brands later
that year.

However, as of January, Lovette is back as CEO at Sauer, which produces and distributes Duke’s Mayonnaise, Sauer-branded spices and other condiments to grocery stores. In 2020, Sauer acquired Chicago Custom Foods, and in 2021, the company purchased Texas-based Mateo’s Gourmet Salsa. In 2020, Duke’s became the title sponsor of the Duke’s Mayo Classic football game in Charlotte, an annual match in September between two universities — this year North Carolina and South Carolina.

A seasoned food industry veteran, Lovette became president and CEO of Pilgrim’s Pride in 2011 and grew the company from $6.9 billion to $10.9 billion in annual net revenue. He also held executive roles at Case Foods and Tyson Foods before joining Falfurrias in 2018 as an adviser. He is a graduate of Texas A&M University and Harvard Business School’s Advanced Management Program.