Meet our leaders

Ryan Reigle

Chairmen of the Board & Chief Executive Officer

Ryan, a direct fourth-generation descendant of J.O. Reigle, the founder of Regal Ware, ascended to the roles of Chairman of the Board and CEO in December 2023, succeeding his father, Jeffrey Reigle. Ryan brings a forward-thinking approach and a history of successful execution to these positions. His deep commitment to customer satisfaction and robust leadership skills are pivotal in advancing the company’s objectives. Under his guidance, Regal Ware is dedicated to enriching lives globally by uniting families, a mission that is mirrored in the values he imparts to his team. Ryan, along with the Holding Company Executive Committee, plays a crucial role in shaping the organization’s vision and strategic direction, ensuring profitable growth, and benefiting customers, shareholders, and employees. 

Ryan began his career with Regal Ware in 2007, serving in various sales and management roles. In 2016, he was appointed President of Saladmaster, overseeing global sales and operations worldwide and growing the division by 20+ percent. He was elected to the Board of Directors in 2018 and promoted to Senior Vice President of Sales in 2019 overseeing all of Regal Ware’s sales divisions. Keys to Ryan’s success have been his extensive background in global sales and operations providing a solid base of experience that allows strategies to be developed and implemented across the organization.  

An alum of St. Norbert College, Ryan holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration and economics, complemented by an executive MBA from Texas Christian University. His community involvement is as commendable as his professional achievements. Currently, he serves on the board of directors for the Direct Selling Association (DSA), a role he has held since 2019. He also contributes his expertise and leadership to the Boys & Girls Club of Washington County as a board member. 

Dave Lenz

President

Dave Lenz assumed the role of President at Regal Ware in January 2024, marking a significant milestone in a distinguished career that began with the company in 1991. His journey at Regal Ware has been characterized by a series of progressively senior roles, highlighting his adeptness in both operational and administrative domains. Dave’s extensive background within the company encompasses vital positions such as Chief Operating Officer, Executive Vice President, Chief Human Resources Officer, and General Manager of Manufacturing. His earlier professional chapter includes various managerial roles in human resources and safety at The West Bend Company, prior to its acquisition by Regal Ware. 

A proud graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, Dave holds a BSE degree and furthered his education with a master’s degree in human resource management from the Keller Graduate School of Management at DeVry University. Beyond his corporate responsibilities, Dave is deeply involved in his community. He has dedicated six years as an Assistant Coach for JV and Varsity Hockey teams at Fon du Lac High School. His leadership extends to the business community through his membership in Vistage, a CEO peer advisory group. Dave’s past contributions to board roles include serving the Economic Development of Washington County and the Family Center of Washington County. His current roles at Regal Ware are not just limited to his executive position, as he is also an active member of the Board of Directors and the Executive Committee. 

Milissa Rick

Executive Vice President & Chief Marketing Officer

Milissa joined the Regal Ware family in February 2021 as Vice President of Marketing and shortly thereafter was promoted to Chief Marketing Officer and became a member of the Holding Company Executive Committee.

Milissa is responsible for overseeing Regal Ware’s marketing structure and approach, digital marketing platforms, and enhancing the customer/consumer experience through brand, product, and service interfaces. She works closely with Regal Ware’s divisions and brands including Saladmaster, ESPRO and American Kitchen on strategic marketing programs.

She has over 20 years of experience leading strategy creation, innovative product launches, customer insights, brand building and team leadership for global consumer brands. Prior to joining Regal Ware, Milissa served in global marketing leadership roles at Schwinn & Mongoose Bicycles, Spacesaver, and most recently Lands’ End. Milissa is well-positioned to help Regal Ware strengthen its brand engagement and positively impact sales while growing and retaining its customer base.

Milissa holds an MBA and bachelor’s degrees in marketing from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. She currently serves on the national board for Free Bikes for Kidz (2020-present) and is the sitting president of the Rock River Repertory Theatre (2013-present).

David Kane

Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer

As a member of the executive committee, David oversees the Finance and IT departments and works closely with senior leaders to drive growth and seek financial, technological, and other efficiency improvements across the organization. David manages all financial planning, analysis and reporting in compliance with federal and state regulations and GAAP. In addition, he provides financial reporting to all levels of internal management as well as external to Regal Ware’s Board of Directors and investment partners.

David is a multifaceted financial leader with 25+ years of experience navigating high-growth companies to develop new business strategies with a focus on operational excellence. He has held executive-level positions in corporate finance, information technology, public accounting, and management consulting.

David holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration, accounting and finance from Ohio University and is a certified public account and chartered global management accountant.

Katrina Gongola

Katrina Gongola

Executive Vice President & Chief Talent Officer

Katrina joined Regal Ware in 2021 as Director of Human Resources and was promoted in 2023 to Chief Talent Officer, assuming a broader leadership role in evolving the holding company’s talent strategy for the future.

Since joining the company, Katrina has been instrumental in implementing several culture-driven and change management initiatives across the organization. She supports our growing portfolio with a focus on managing global talent programs and enhancing employee attraction, development, and engagement. She plays an integral role in aligning our strategic vision with the talent needs necessary to grow our divisions and product lines.

As a strategic and business-focused HR professional, Katrina has 25+ years of progressive human resources leadership experience. She has worked in talent leadership roles with a number of prominent Milwaukee-based organizations, including Enerpac Tool Group, Kohl’s Department Stores, GE Healthcare, Milwaukee Tool, Generac, and Johnson Controls.

Katrina holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Wisconsin – Whitewater.

Joe Swanson

Executive Vice President & President of SynergyOps

As a member of the Executive Committee and a proven leader in the industry with three decades of experience, Joe has vast knowledge of Regal Ware manufacturing operations, including background in product development, supply chain functions, purchasing, quality assurance, and production supervision. As President of the SynergyOps Division of Regal Ware, he is responsible for providing leadership and oversight to the overall production and manufacturing operations to ensure efficiencies and smooth workflow for the continued growth and success of the company and its customers.

Joe began his career at Regal Ware in 1983 as a Management Trainee. He assumed the roles of Vice President and General Manager from 1992 to 2005, and was promoted to Senior Vice President of Operation in 2005, prior to assuming his current responsibilities as President of the SynergyOps Division in July 2021.

Joe earned his bachelor’s degree in industrial technology from the University of Wisconsin-Platteville and earned his MS in management from Cardinal Stritch University. Active in many community activities, Joe currently serves on the board of directors, He’s also the past president of the Kettle Moraine YMCA, past board member of the KEYS Scholarship organization of Kewaskum High School and past board member of Threshold, Inc. of Washington County.

James D. Reigle

Chairman Emeritus

James is the son of founder, J.O. Reigle. Like his father, James acquired front-line sales experience in the cookware business before assuming leadership in operations. Before joining Regal Ware in 1949, he served as a sergeant in the US Army Air Force in Germany and earned a Bachelor of Science-Commerce degree from Ohio University. His earliest tasks, in the receiving department, were humble ones, supplying production lines by “lugging crates and cartons from truck to dock.” From these modest beginnings developed a man who eventually became the president of the company upon his father’s retirement in 1965.

As James relates, his father would much rather sell one top-quality product for a higher price than two low-quality items. James D. believes such attention to quality and durability, along with customer trust and loyalty, determines the success of a business. When he assumed the company’s leadership, James’s goal was to continue the company’s growth under the philosophy initiated by his father. That goal was achieved in a spectacular fashion between 1965 and 1990. Regal Ware experienced tremendous growth, and employment grew 285% during this period.

According to James himself, “the second task of a good executive is to train his replacement,” making the transition to his successor a smooth one. His eldest son, Jeffrey A. Reigle became Regal Ware’s President in 1992 and in 2021, Jeff handed the reins to his son, Ryan Reigle. Today, James continues to be an integral member of Regal Ware’s Executive Committee as Chairman Emeritus.

Our Core Values

Learn more about the building blocks of Regal Ware and its culture.