Conaway Development Industries, Inc.
Principal Profile: Harry Cook
Senior Vice President
Co-Owner
Harry Cook is a meat industry veteran, having grown up in the meat packing and processing business and ultimately creating one of the industry’s most successful processors. In addition to developing revolutionary processing and packaging systems, Cook’s products pioneered the branded, prepackaged smoked meat market to become the category’s foremost branded product, with annual sales in excess of $350million (adjusted) to supermarket and institutional markets.
Mr. Cook earned his B.A. in economics from Emory University in 1977. In 1982, Mr. Cook co-founded Cook Family Foods, Ltd. as a start-up company specializing in smoked hams and related meats, serving as President and CEO. In 1988, the company was sold to ConAgra, Inc., a food and agricultural conglomerate. >From 1988 to 1991, he continued on as Chairman and CEO, successfully transitioning his freestanding, privately held meat company into an integrated Independent Operating Company (IOC) format within ConAgra companies. Prior to his involvement in CDI/SOFR, Mr. Cook was the Principal of The Cook Organization, Ltd., a management and investment company, focusing on food and food-related industries, general manufacturing, marine industry, and specialty retailing, through direct investment, venture capital, consulting and start-ups.
Mr. Cook supports various civic and non-profit organizations and has been involved in a number of professional associations, including Past Director, the American Meat Institute, Past Member, Institute of Food Technologists and Member & Officer, World Presidents Organization.
Everett T. Conaway
Chairman of the Board
Chief Executive Officer
Jesse Frederick-Conaway
President
Chief Financial Officer
Ralph Riggleman
Founding Member
Senior Engineer & Technical Consultant