Ateeco, Inc., the family-owned company behind the Mrs. T's Pierogies, has announced the promotion of LeeAnn Smulligan to Chief Operating Officer, effective January 1, 2025.
Smulligan succeeds Mark Tarzwell in this leadership role, marking a new chapter for the Schuylkill County-based company.
According to a press release from the company, Smulligan’s journey with Mrs. T's Pierogies spans over two decades, during which she has played a role in driving operational excellence, spearheading key marketing initiatives, and fostering innovation. Her leadership has been instrumental in shaping the company’s growth and reinforcing its strong market presence.
“It continues to be a privilege to work for Mrs. T’s Pierogies, an organization that values its people,” said Smulligan. “The brand fulfills its mission of making people smile—from our associates to our customers, vendor and agency partners, and ultimately consumers. I am humbled and excited to lead a company whose values align so closely with my own. As we look to 2025, my focus will be on continued operational excellence, strategic planning, and fostering our growing brand loyalty.”
Starting her career at Mrs. T’s in 2002 as a Marketing Assistant, Smulligan quickly rose through the ranks, holding positions such as Associate Marketing Manager, Senior Marketing Associate Manager, Category Development Manager, Director of Marketing with oversight of Research and Development, and most recently, Vice President of Operations.
Smulligan holds a bachelor's degree in food marketing from Saint Joseph’s University and an MBA from Alvernia University. Demonstrating a commitment to lifelong learning, she completed the Wharton Executive Education Leadership Program in 2024.
Beyond her corporate achievements, Smulligan actively contributes to her community and industry. She serves as Secretary on the Board of Directors for Helping Harvest, a regional food bank, chairs the NFRA Promotions Committee, and is a member of VISTAGE, the world’s largest CEO coaching and peer advisory organization. In recognition of her contributions to the frozen food industry and her mentorship of emerging female leaders, she received the 2024 Frozen and Refrigerated Buyer FoRWARD Award.
“Over the years, LeeAnn has been instrumental in driving success for Mrs. T’s, so I’m excited to see her step into the role of Chief Operating Officer,” said Tom Twardzik, owner of Ateeco, Inc. “She understands our business holistically, and her leadership, vision, and genuine passion for our brand are unmatched. Under LeeAnn’s guidance, we’ll continue to grow, innovate, and stay true to our strong company values.”