With a background spanning nearly 30 years in the food and beverage industries, David Whitmer performs an important, multi-faceted role at MGP. Serving as Vice President of Quality and Compliance, he is a walking encyclopedia of scientific, technical and regulatory information regarding ingredient and finished product innovations. Committed to staying in tune with changing market trends and specific customer needs, he is equally dedicated to delivering the finest quality possible with every order that MGP produces and ships.
David has extensive leadership experience in the areas of quality management and product and systems development. He began at MGP as Plant Quality Manager at the Company’s Atchison, Kansas, Facility in February 2006. His successful performance in this role led to his subsequent promotion to Corporate Director of Quality in 2008. He was promoted to Corporate Director of Quality and Alcohol R&D/innovation in 2014, and also is a Master Blender at MGP, and an Executive Bourbon Steward. Combined with his educational background in biology, chemistry, technology and industrial management, as well as previous work in the scientific arena, David brings significantly broad expertise to responsibilities in the areas of Research & Development and Innovation.
From 1989 until joining MGP, David was employed by Hydrite Chemical Company, a Midwestern-based manufacturer of food ingredients, food processing cleaners and sanitizers, and specialty chemicals. He started there as Quality Control Laboratory Manager and one year later was promoted to Regional Quality Assurance Manager. In 1993, he was elevated to Product Quality Manager. In this capacity, he planned and directed quality programs and activities at seven manufacturing facilities. He also managed, directed and coached numerous quality managers and technicians across the company and led Hydrite’s Executive Committee for Strategic Quality Planning.
David received a bachelor of science degree in biology and chemistry from Graceland University, Lamoni, Iowa, in 1989. He earned a master of arts degree in technology-industrial management at the University of Northern Iowa, Cedar Falls, in 1995. He has also earned certification from the American Society for Quality as a Certified Quality Manager (CQM/ASQ).