Kiolbassa Smoked Meats Announces Strategic Leadership Transition to Foster Growth

Kiolbassa Smoked Meats, a company celebrated for its premium smoked sausages and a culture deeply rooted in purpose, is poised for a significant leadership transition aimed at securing its future growth and upholding its values. Effective July 1, 2025, Michael Johnson will take over as President, with the current President, Bill Wagner, transitioning into the newly established role of Executive Vice-Chairman. This strategic shift, endorsed by the company's Board of Directors and Advisory Board, highlights Kiolbassa's dedication to nurturing leadership and ensuring sustainable development.

Michael Johnson's journey with Kiolbassa Smoked Meats spans 18 years, during which he has held multiple leadership positions after joining the company full-time post his MBA from Texas Tech University. His tenure has been marked by the integration of Values-Based Leadership and the Great Game of Business into the company's ethos, alongside co-developing the strategic business pillars that have steered the company's growth since 2022. Johnson's elevation to President is a testament to the trust the company places in his leadership qualities, including his integrity, commitment to quality, and genuine concern for the workforce.

Bill Wagner, the first non-family president of Kiolbassa Smoked Meats since July 2022, will now dedicate his efforts to mentoring the Finance department and contributing to long-term strategic planning in his new capacity as Executive Vice-Chairman. Wagner's leadership has been crucial in cementing the family business's legacy, and his ongoing involvement is anticipated to play a key role in the company's continued success.

Further underscoring the company's focus on leadership development, Jerry Carnes, Vice President of Sales, is set to assume broader management responsibilities and join the Senior Team. This move reflects the importance Kiolbassa places on a unified sales strategy and its investment in cultivating leadership within its ranks. These leadership adjustments underscore Kiolbassa Smoked Meats' unwavering commitment to enriching lives through honest food, meaningful service, and leadership driven by purpose, as it expands its footprint from San Antonio to a national stage.