Our Team
Hickory Harvest is a third-generation, family-owned business with many long-time employees who are dedicated to our mission. That means that the people who work for us either are family… or they sure do feel like it! Get to know our leadership team and see how they help us provide the best products and service possible.
Darlene Swiatkowski, Chairman Emeritus
After being a major part of Hickory Harvest from the beginning, Darlene has decided to embrace and enjoy retirement.
Joe Swiatkowski, President and CEO
Joe has been president of Hickory Harvest Foods since 2005 and in 2020, acquired the company. Even with the added responsibilities of owning Hickory Harvest, Joe is in charge of Company Vision, Strategic Planning, and Core Value Implementation. Working in the business since he was a teenager, Joe has held previous positions such as Director of Sales, General Manager, and Director of Operations. During his time away from the office, he enjoys golfing, travel, and donating his time to help charitable causes. While Hickory Harvest is near and dear to his heart, his greatest joy is spending time with his wife, three daughters, and a wonderful group of friends who have designated him as the “Nutman”.
Pete La Rose, VP of Sales
Pete joined the Hickory Harvest Foods team in 2021 and is responsible for the customer development and revenue growth of the organization. Customers of Hickory Harvest Foods will benefit from Pete's diverse background managing iconic brands, brand development and leading national sales teams while at Kraft-Heinz, Nabisco and Snyder's-Lance. Contact Pete today to discuss how he can help you develop your product portfolio, brand strategy and assortment optimization.
Amy Hunter, Human Resources Manager
Amy joined the Hickory Harvest team in 2015. With over twenty years' experience in the HR field, Amy has a strong background in employee relations and conflict resolution; along with extensive knowledge of payroll and benefits administration. Amy possesses a SHRM-CP certification along with a degree in Accounting.
Mary McFadden, Controller
In 2024, Mary became a part of the Hickory Harvest team, bringing a wealth of financial expertise. Demonstrating an unwavering commitment to precision and accuracy in financial reporting, Mary excels in developing key performance indicators (KPIs) that significantly contribute to the overall financial health and growth of organizations. Her proficiency extends to risk management, enhancing financial transparency, and optimizing processes. With a distinctive blend of CPA and MBA expertise, Mary has a proven history as a results-driven CFO and Controller, ensuring success in every financial endeavor.
You’re always welcome to tour our facility and learn more about our family, our process and what we can do to help you. Contact us any time!