SHEBOYGAN FALLS, WIS. — Over the next few months, Johnsonville LLC will make a transition in its top executive position.

Don Fussner, who currently works as Johnsonville’s chief financial officer and chief operating officer, will succeed Nick Meriggioli as chief executive officer starting on Jan. 1, 2024.

Fussner has worked for Johnsonville since 2019 and started as the company’s CFO in 2022. He eventually added the COO duties to his role. 

During his tenure, he led Johnsonville’s finance and end-to-end supply chain teams. Fussner also worked on business planning, operational technologies and strategic sourcing.

Meriggioli announced his retirement from the company, which will start on Dec. 31, 2023. He took over as Johnsonville’s CEO in 2015 from owner Ralph C. Stayer, who served in that role.

Shelly Stayer, Johnsonville’s owner and current chairperson, said that Meriggioli’s leadership during – and after the pandemic – was especially valuable in simultaneously keeping manufacturing members safe and operations staffed to continue serving Johnsonville’s consumers.

She also appreciated Meriggioli’s people-first approach in maintaining the company’s strong culture. 

“If our culture remained a priority, high member engagement and business growth would follow,” Shelly Stayer said. “Nick has modeled that and has been a strong advocate for our Johnsonville Way culture, and we are especially grateful for his leadership.”

Stayer has been chairperson since Feb. 2019 before her husband Ralph stepped down from the role.

Read more about Shelley’s success at Johnsonville in a previous MEAT+POULTRY feature when she took on the role.