FROM ONE MAMA’S KITCHEN TO THE MOTHER OF ALL SALSAS
The Mama Torrez Salsa Company, founded in 2017 in Spokane, Washington, was inspired by treasured family recipes brought to America all the way from Leon, Mexico. Passionate fans who discovered the fresh made salsas, coleslaw and chips at local farmers markets and craft fairs helped grow the brand into a regional favorite gradually stocked in grocery stores across Washington, Idaho, Oregon and Montana.
In 2022, Chris Hannigan joined as CEO, recruiting an all-star management team of experienced food executives to expand production capabilities and bring Mama Torrez products to new markets across the West Coast and beyond. Hannigan, a second-generation Mexican American, was first introduced to Mama Torrez salsas by a friend who brought him a welcome gift when the Hannigan family first moved to Spokane. "We fell in love with the authentic flavors and freshness of the products,” he said. “They became a staple in our house, and I realized there was an opportunity to bring this fantastic product to more people."
Learn more about the Mama Torrez Salsa Company executive team in the bios below.
MEET THE TEAM
FOUNDER
In the early 1900s, Gilda’s grandparents immigrated to America from the city of Leon in Guanajuato, Mexico. Gilda’s mother, Alice, was only 11 when her mother passed away. It was then that Alice’s father taught her how to cook. When Alice grew up and became a mother of eight, she passed on those kitchen traditions to her eldest daughter, Gilda. Those were lean years, but Gilda cherishes them for teaching her that love is built around the kitchen table. As an adult, she found another true love when she met and married Fred. Visiting Spokane on a ski trip in 1979, the couple was spellbound by the area’s natural beauty and decided to build a life there. After retiring 30 years later, they opened a Hispanic grocery store. The undertaking proved to be overwhelming, so they scaled back and focused on the salsa made from a family recipe that friends and neighbors had always raved about. In 2013, they debuted Mama Torrez Original Salsa at a local farmers market. From there, the business quickly expanded to booths at prominent farmers markets across the region. Eventually Mama Torrez products were being stocked in top regional stores. As the company continues to grow, Gilda is proud to carry on the legacy that her mother and late husband originated. After all, feeding people is Gilda’s love language.
GILDA MEYER
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
In his role as CEO, Chris brings over 25 years of experience in the consumer packaged food and beverage industry. He has led sales and marketing departments and driven innovation for some of America’s largest and most iconic brands at companies including Kraft/Heinz, Del Monte Foods, Ventura Foods and Tree Top Inc. He joined the Mama Torrez Salsa Company in 2022, having built a syndicate of private equity and food executive investors to infuse capital and support a strategic growth agenda he designed. Chris also serves as a Mentor to Austin based SKU Inc, a CPG brand accelerator looking to gain scale with the help of industry experts. During the COVID pandemic, Chris volunteered his time as Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors for the United Way of Central Washington, guiding the organization through a challenging annual fund campaign. He earned his B.A. from Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas and has a MBA & MIM from Thunderbird School of Global Management in Phoenix, Arizona.
CHRISTOPHER HANNIGAN
CHIEF OPERATIONS OFFICER/CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
As a CFO with a CPA, Andrea relishes the challenge of growing small businesses into regional powerhouses—and even national presences—with visible and scalable results. Her expertise ranges from strategic planning and organizational development to successful acquisitions and change management. Before joining the Mama Torrez Salsa Company, she served as COO for Pearson Packaging Systems for several years after being promoted from her CFO role there. Her career track record includes growing a manufacturing company 250% during her tenure. With a focus on the future, she enjoys mentoring the next generation of leaders and investing in and implementing new technologies.
ANDREA “AZ” ZAMAN
VICE PRESIDENT, NATIONAL ACCOUNTS
Scott Shafer joins Mama Torrez with over a decade and a half of dynamic CPG experience. Scott possesses a profound understanding of sales, trade marketing, and category management principles. Throughout his roles within the CPG industry Scott has exhibited outstanding leadership, driving remarkable growth strategies and exceeding sales targets. Scott's tenure includes pivotal roles at major CPG companies such as Mizkan America, Tree Top, Church & Dwight Co. Inc, and Abbott Nutrition where he led strategic initiatives, managed trade spending, and forged strong partnerships for business success. Armed with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Arizona State University and a Food Industry Executive Program certification from the University of Southern California, Scott’s blend of academic knowledge and industry expertise enables him to craft and execute sales strategies within all channels of the CPG industry. Scott looks forward to delivering growth for Mama Torrez!
SCOTT SHAFER
CHIEF R&D/QUALITY OFFICER
Jim is a strategic business leader and food scientist with over 25 years of experience working for household-name companies like Kraft Foods, Campbell Soup Company and Del Monte in R&D, quality, sales and commercialization roles. He has specific expertise in product formulations and process development for beverages, bakery and savory products across a variety of packaging formats. Jim’s skill set includes building highly productive technical teams and developing creative competitive advantages for products across the food industry. He earned his B.S. in Food Science from Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana, and has an MBA from Western Michigan University.