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Robert Graeter Vice President of Operations Robert Graeter, a member of the fourth generation of Graeter's to own and operate the family business, has been with the company continuously for 17 years. Starting out as a store manager in the early 1980s, Bob has worked his way up to the position of vice president of operations. Bob heads the company's operations management team which focuses primarily on sourcing and vendor relations, product development and wholesale sales. He also oversees new store development and build-out. Bob Graeter graduated from Wittenberg University in 1977 with a Bachelor of Science in biology and went on to earn a Master of Business Administration from the University of Michigan in 1984. Outside of the office, he is extremely busy raising three beautiful daughters. He also is active as a deacon and a former trustee of the Wyoming Presbyterian Church. A self-proclaimed "foodie" and "wine geek," Bob is always on the lookout for the next hot new flavor idea to make into a new ice cream, bakery or candy product. |
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Steve Hellmich Production Manager for Candy A trained chef and candy maker, Steve Hellmich is the production manager for candy at Graeter's. Known to most as Graeter's "candyman," he is responsible for candy design and the company's candy production. Steve is passionate about the culinary arts and enjoys sharing his knowledge of the properties of making confections. Steve has been teaching cooking classes in the Cincinnati area since 1997. He currently teaches at Cooks Wares and EQ (Entertainment Quotient) at The Party Source. He was formerly a consultant for Procter & Gamble working on curriculum and recipe development for Culinary Sol Cooking School. Prior to working at Graeter's, Steve was the executive chef and food service director at the Cincinnati Branch of the Federal Reserve Bank, where he prepared meals for Allen Greenspan on several occasions. He has worked as a sous chef at the White House Inn and the Waterfront locally, as well as at prestigious East Coast restaurants, including the Inn at Little Washington. He also was a chef/instructor at New England Culinary Institute (NECI) where he taught catering. Steve Hellmich is a graduate of DePauw University and The New England Culinary Institute. He has been active in the Cincinnati community as a volunteer for Women Helping Women since 1997. |