Strategic Hires Reflect Commitment to Continued Growth and Excellence at Chicago’s WBENC-Certified, Women-, Locally-, and Family-Owned Food Distributor
As part of its continued commitment to growth and innovation, Midwest Foods is pleased to announce the addition of two experienced leaders to its executive team: Kristie Waters as Senior Vice President of Revenue Strategy and Carissa Remitz as Director of Marketing & PR.
These strategic appointments strengthen Midwest Foods’ service offerings, enhance its marketing capabilities, and further solidify its role as a trusted, sustainability-focused food distributor in the Midwest. Together, Waters and Remitz bring decades of expertise across foodservice, brand building, and revenue growth to support Midwest Foods’ continued expansion—while maintaining the company’s longstanding focus on food safety, quality, and partnership with underrepresented local-, diverse-, and family-owned farms.
“Kristie and Carissa bring a depth of experience and a strong alignment with our core values of community, service, and sustainability,” said Erin Fitzgerald, President of Midwest Foods. “Their leadership will be essential in accelerating our growth as we expand our offerings and deepen our relationships with chefs, institutions, and partners across the Midwest.”
Kristie Waters, Senior Vice President of Revenue Strategy
Kristie Waters drives the overall growth strategy for Midwest Foods, bringing more than 20 years of leadership experience across sales strategy, operational performance, and business transformation in the foodservice and retail sectors. She launched her career in the produce industry, working hands-on with farms and distributors to build a deep understanding of the supply chain. Early on, she spearheaded the expansion of the local and sustainable food movement across the Southeast and advanced food access initiatives as a member of the Jefferson County Food Policy Council.
Prior to joining Midwest Foods, Waters served as Vice President of the PRO Division at Leslie’s, where she led a $190 million B2B segment to record-breaking growth and profitability. She also held key leadership roles at PRO*ACT USA and founded Grow With Waters, a consulting firm focused on scaling small and mid-sized businesses. A passionate industry advocate, Waters has held leadership roles with the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, the former agencies of the Produce Marketing Association, and the United Fresh Distributor/Wholesale Board—now part of the International Fresh Produce Association.
Carissa Remitz, Director of Marketing & PR
Carissa Remitz leads marketing strategy at Midwest Foods, driving brand growth, customer engagement, and market expansion. A lifelong advocate for fresh, seasonal ingredients, she brings a unique blend of culinary expertise and strategic storytelling to her role. Remitz built her career at the intersection of food and communications, with early experience at the San Francisco Chronicle’s Food & Wine sections, followed by nearly two decades in PR and marketing leadership at Wagstaff, serving top hospitality brands nationwide.
Based in Chicago, Remitz is a committed industry leader. She co-founded and directs Together Hospitality, a network supporting the Chicagoland restaurant community, and previously served on the associate board of Green City Market, advancing sustainable food initiatives. At Midwest Foods, she channels her passion and expertise into accelerating growth and strengthening connections between chefs, farms, and communities.
About Midwest Foods
Midwest Foods is Chicago’s WBENC-certified, women-, locally-, and family-owned food distributor, proudly serving chefs and culinary professionals across Illinois, Wisconsin, Indiana, and Michigan. With a strong focus on community, service, and commitment, Midwest Foods provides fresh, sustainable solutions tailored to the evolving needs of the foodservice industry. The company is dedicated to supporting underrepresented local-, diverse-, and family-owned businesses, while also sourcing beyond the region when needed to ensure consistency, quality, and availability year-round. Midwest Foods offers chef-driven convenience items and labor-saving ingredients, backed by more than 125,000 square feet of facility space in Chicago and Kenosha. Its SQF-certified processing rooms and full prep kitchen ensure food safety, consistency, and efficiency from farm to plate. Learn more at midwestfoods.com and follow Midwest Foods on LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook.
Media Contact
Midwest Foods Marketing Team
marketing@midwestfoods.com