Ann Garner Riddle has been named president and CEO of TW Garner Food Company. She succeeds her brother, Ralph E. “Reg” Garner, who passed away last June after a long illness.

Riddle holds a B.A. in Psychology from Hollins College in Virginia, and a B.S. in Food Science from North Carolina State University. Prior to being named to her new post, Riddle served as a vice president of TW Garner for the past 13 years. Her employment with the company began in January, 1972.

“Our corporate philosophy has always been to achieve steady, managed growth,” Riddle says. “That’s the way Reg did it, that’s the way our dad and uncles did it, and that’s our plan moving forward.”

“Although I do wish with all my heart that this gap had never existed, and I miss my brother every day, I am sincerely excited about our future. I have enormous passion and enthusiasm for what we do and who we are,” Riddle says. “We have a great history, and today we have the brands, the products, the team, and the plans in place to keep the business moving steadily ahead. I look forward to serving in the years to come.”

Ann’s uncle, Thad Garner, started the business in 1929, making and selling barbecue sauce. The company introduced Texas Pete Hot Sauce in the early 1930s in response to customers asking for a spicier product.