Minerva, Ohio-based Minerva Dairy has hired Steven H. Lefkowitz as CFO. Lefkowitz, who started in his new role on July 5, brings a new vision of corporate governance to the fifth-generation family-owned company.
He has a degree in accounting from Miami University and has held financial leadership roles at several companies over the past four decades, including Tire Centers, Monarch Steel and Alco Manufacturing. Most recently, he served as CFO at ChromaScape.
“It’s an honor to work with the fifth generation of a family-owned business that’s as beloved in Ohio and nationwide as Minerva Dairy,” Lefkowitz said. “My goals are to establish enhanced cash-management tools, develop a greater sense of corporate governance, and bring enhanced financial reporting through a proactive and collaborative leadership approach.”
At Tire Centers, Lefkowitz was instrumental in building the business from a smaller chain to one of the largest independent tire dealers with more than $400 million in sales. He helped position Alco for a liquidity event that hit its target multiple and timeframe, and he worked closely with Monarch Steel’s owner and president to create a strategic plan that led to sustainable profits.
“Steve is a customer-centric financial leader who understands the goals of all departments and their impact on our bottom line,” said Venae Watts, Minerva Dairy fifth-generation co-owner. “He will be key to driving our strategic plan through his relevant financial and operational planning and execution.”
Minerva Dairy, the oldest family-owned creamery at 125 years, produces butter and cheese for retail and food manufacturing customers across U.S. markets. It uses a recipe of slow churned, 85 percent butterfat Amish-style butter for the company’s products.
Minerva’s cheeses, which include cheddar, Italian-styles and Kosher/Halal recipes, are specification specific for each food manufacturing customer. The creamery churns out research and development recipes of flavored infused butters in addition to the sea salt and unsalted products. All Minerva Dairy products are GMO-free, antibiotic-free and gluten-free.
For more information, visit minervadairy.com.
