WESTERVILLE, OHIO — T. Marzetti Co., a wholly owned subsidiary of Lancaster Colony Corp. and a manufacturer and seller of specialty food products, has hired Judith Mondello as its chief research, development and quality officer succeeding Steve Hill, PhD. Hill has led the T Marzetti’s R&D and quality unit since 2017 and will retire later this year, according to the company.

Mondello will be responsible for overseeing the company’s R&D, product innovation, quality assurance and regulatory compliance.

Mondello joins T. Marzetti from The Campbell’s Co., where she most recently was senior vice president of R&D for the company’s Meals and Beverage Division. There, she oversaw products such as soup, broth, sauce, pasta, frozen meals and beverages. Earlier, she was vice president of R&D for Campbell’s.

Prior to her tenure with Campbell’s, Mondello was VP of R&D at The J.M. Smucker Co. She joined Smucker in May 2005 as manager of R&D consumer baking.

Mondello also has worked for such companies as Sara Lee, McKee Foods and Continental Baking Co.

Judith Mondello is T. Marzetti Co.'s chief research, development and quality officer.

| Photo: Judith Mondello

“Judi brings a wealth of technical knowledge and deep experience leading R&D, quality and regulatory teams,” said Dave Ciesinski, president and chief executive officer of Lancaster Colony. “She shares our company’s commitment to quality and innovation, and we are thrilled to have a leader of her caliber leading our best-in-class culinary and product development team.”

Prior to T. Marzetti, Hill was with Kraft for 23 years. At Kraft, Hill held leadership positions spanning health and wellness, research and development, nutrition and quality.

T. Marzetti’s retail brands include Marzetti dressings and dips; New York Bakery garlic breads; and Sister Schubert’s dinner rolls.

The company’s foodservice business unit supplies products including sauces, dressings, breads and pasta to restaurant chains.