Michael Richart promoted to President and CEO of ESE

August 31, 2015 - Michael Richart has been named President and Chief Executive Officer of ESE., which designs and develops plant automation systems for the food, dairy, and beverage industry. Tom Walther, who has served in those roles since 2000, begins his role as Chief Innovation Officer.

Throughout his career, Richart has helped companies succeed by optimizing the intersection of data, people, process and technology. Strategic in nature, he is a noted transformation leader, taking a holistic end-to-end business approach that invests highly in people that make the difference.

“This is an exciting time for ESE,” Richart said. “The food and beverage industry continues to grow and evolve. Our commitment to ‘Customer Care’ mean we are driven to provide a great experience for everyone who works with ESE. The solutions ESE staff provides our customers helps them remain safe, efficient and successful.”

Richart moves from his position as ESE Director of Business Operations, where he led the sales team and grew ESE staff. He previously served as Managing Director of IntelliWorks, LLC, was a Director with Kimberly-Clark, and worked as a Manufacturing Engineer and Operations Manager with Cummins, Inc.

Walther has served ESE customers for 20 years, including the past 15 years as President and CEO. In his new role, he will lead the ESE sales staff and build upon the customer-centric focus he has established among ESE staff for two decades.

“As Michael assumes responsibility for the day-to-day operations of ESE, I will be able to increase the amount of time I spend with our customers,” Walther said. “We want their first call to be to ESE, and I want to help them navigate an increasingly complex marketplace that features labor, product safety and so many other issues. I look forward to helping our clients manage risk, boost production, and ensure a safe operating environment.”

“ESE would not be where it is today without the leadership and vision of Tom Walther,” Richart added. “We will all benefit – myself, ESE staff and our customers – from Tom’s new role. He has been the face of ESE for some time, and can now focus even more on the success of our customers.”

About ESE

ESE has been at the forefront of designing and commissioning innovative plant automation systems for food and beverage applications since 1986. Headquartered in Marshfield, Wisconsin, ESE is a Rockwell Automation Solution Partner. In addition to being certified through Control System Integrators Association (CSIA), ESE follows the strictest standards of USDA, FDA, Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP), American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) and 3A Sanitary Standards.