Ellen McGeeney

Background

About Ellen McGeeney

Ellen is the CEO of Ale-8-One Bottling Co, a fourth generation, family owned business founded in Winchester, KY in 1902. Ale-8-One is a hand-crafted ginger and citrus soda still mixed by the family from the original secret recipe. Ellen is the first non-family member to run the business, overseeing sales & distribution, marketing and new product development, manufacturing and supply chain, HR, and finance. Under her stewardship, the business has grown the topline consistently while improving profitability in a declining category, by expanding distribution, adding packaging to address different occasions, and launching the first new flavors in over 95 years.Operationally, Ellen has worked to expand manufacturing & distribution capacity, enhance the company’s employee safety and food safety programs, and improve supply chain management. The company is the only KEMI policy holder to win their Destiny Safety Award 10 consecutive years. Under Ellen’s leadership, Ale-8-One achieved SQF Level II food safety certification. She led the company’s efforts to improve supply chain management, implement an ERP system, and invest in manufacturing and warehouse capacity to support the company's growth.Ellen believes strongly that the purpose of the firm extends beyond maximizing shareholder value. Ellen has improved both wages and benefits, believing that when employees are cared for and customers' problems are proactively solved, the company’s value grows and resiliency strengthens.