James D. Reigle

Chairman Emeritus

Mr. Reigle is the son of founder, J.O. Reigle. Like his father, James D. acquired front-line sales experience in the cookware business before assuming leadership in the overall 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 D. Reigle 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 D.’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 the period.

According to James D. 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 D. continues to be an integral member of Regal Ware’s Executive Committee as Chairman Emeritus.

Jeffrey A. Reigle

Chairman of the Board

Jeffrey A. Reigle is a third generation descendent of founder J.O. Reigle, and the eldest son of James D. Reigle. Jeffrey led the company as President & CEO from 1992 – March 2021, before handing the reins to son, Ryan Reigle. Jeff continues to be an integral member of Regal Ware’s Executive Committee as Chairman of the Board.

Under Jeffs’ leadership, the company has always had a reputation for integrity, growth, innovation and continually reinventing themselves. Jeff was always willing to invest in new ideas while keeping a focus on customers, suppliers, and employees success. His continued commitment of building the type of company that treats Regal Ware family members, customers and communities with honor and respect are testaments of his dedication and commitment as a leader.

Jeffrey joined the company in 1973 as a management trainee and held several progressively responsible positions within Regal Ware, including various sales and production management positions from 1973-1984; Vice President, Corporate Development from 1984-1986; Vice President, Sales from 1986-1988; Executive Vice President, Housewares Sales from 1988-1991; President & CEO from 1992-March 2021.

Reigle has been a staunch supporter of direct selling throughout his career and has been a champion of diversity within the industry. He believes strongly in the opportunities that direct selling provides to people not only in the United States but throughout the world. Jeff was inducted into the Direct Selling Association Hall of Fame in June 2018. This prestigious award celebrates the contribution of extraordinary leaders whose work has helped chart the course for direct selling’s future success.

Jeffrey served as the Chairman of the Direct Selling Education Foundation (DSEF) from 2004-2005 and as Chairman of the Direct Selling Association (DSA) from 2006-2007. Mr. Reigle remains actively involved in the Direct Selling Association and is currently on the DSEF Board serving as Chairman since 2019. He is also a Board Member of FaB Wisconsin.

Jeffrey was born in West Bend, Wisconsin, and now resides in Kewaskum. He graduated from Carroll College in Waukesha, Wisconsin in 1973, with a bachelor’s degree in Business.

Ryan Reigle

President & Chief Executive Officer

Ryan is a fourth generation descendent of Regal Ware founder J.O. Reigle and son of Jeffrey A. Reigle, former President & CEO. Ryan is a visionary with a proven track record of execution. With his strong customer focus and extensive leadership capabilities, he is uniquely qualified to lead the company in implementing strategy while delivering exceptional value to Regal Ware’s customers.
Ryan has long been groomed for the top job. He began his career with Regal Ware in 2007 serving in a variety of sales and management positions. In January 2016 he was appointed President of Saladmaster, overseeing global sales and operations worldwide, growing the division by 20+%. In October 2019 he was appointed Sr. Vice President, Sales, providing oversight of all Regal Ware 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. Ryan was elected to Regal Ware’s Board of Directors in 2018.

Ryan graduated from St. Norbert College in 2003 with a bachelor’s degree in Business
Administration and Economics and earned his Executive MBA from Texas Christian University. He is a member of the Direct Selling Association (DSA) and sits on their Board of Directors.

David N. Lenz

Senior Vice President, Chief Operating Officer

Mr. Lenz was appointed Chief Operating Officer in March 2016 and oversees day-to-day operations and people systems to effectively grow the organization ensuring strategic goals and operational excellence. Since joining Regal Ware in 2002, Dave has served in progressive leadership capacities with increasing responsibility in both the operations and administrative support functions of the company. Most recently he served as Senior Vice President, Sales and Marketing with responsibilities for Regal Ware brands sales and marketing, executive leadership and management of new business development, and corporate benefits and salary administration at the senior level.

Other positions include Corporate Director, Human Resources from 2002 – 2004; Vice President and General Manager, Manufacturing from 2005-2007; Senior Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer from 2008-2014. Prior to joining Regal Ware he held various positions at The West Bend Company including Safety Administrator from 1991-2000, Manager of Employment, Salary Administration and Safety in 2000, and Vice President of Human Resources from 2000-2002.

Dave earned a BSE degree from the University of Wisconsin, Whitewater and Masters in Human Resource Management from the Keller Graduate School of Management in 1998. An active community participant, Dave served as a Board Member for the Family Center of Washington County from 2003-2009. He has been on the Board of Directors for Economic Development Washington County since 2009, and served as Board President for that organization 2012-2013.

David Kane

Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer

David joined the Regal Ware family in 2021. Mr. Kane 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 multi-faceted financial leader with 25+ years of extensive experience navigating high growth companies in developing 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.

Kane holds a Bachelor of Business Administration, Accounting and Finance, from Ohio University, and is a Certified Public Account and chartered global management accountant. David and his wife, Amy, have two daughters and reside in Erin.

Douglas J. Reigle

Senior Vice President, Sales

Douglas J. Reigle, also a third generation descendent of founder J.O. Reigle, was born in Kewaskum, Wisconsin, graduating from Carroll College in 1981 with a bachelor’s degree in both Business Administration and Economics.

In 1993 Mr. Reigle was appointed Director of Regal Swan Ltd., a joint venture company located in Birmingham, England. He returned to Regal Ware in 1995 as Vice President, International Sales; served as Vice President Direct Sales from 1998-2001; held the position of Senior Vice President, Sales & Marketing from 2001-2010; served as COO 2010-2012; and 2013-2019 Vice President, Supply Chain Management, and currently holds the position of Senior Vice President, Strategic Sales. Doug was elected to Regal Ware’s Board of Directors in 1995 and named an officer of the company in 2001.

Mr. Reigle has represented Regal Ware in a variety of industry organizations, including the Housewares Export Council of North America, the British Cookware Manufacturers Association, and the Wisconsin World Trade Center. Doug is a past President of the Cookware Manufacturers Association (2011-2012); and is a current member of the Direct Selling Association (DSA) International Council, the DSA Party Plan Council, and the DSA Family Owned Business Council. Doug currently serves as Vice President on the Cookware Manufacturers Association Board of Directors.

Joseph A. Swanson

Senior Vice President, Operations

Joe joined Regal Ware in 1983 as a Management Trainee. He brings to his position a vast knowledge of Regal Ware manufacturing operations, including background in Purchasing, Quality Assurance, and Production Supervision. Joe received his BS in Industrial Technology from the University of Wisconsin-Platteville, and earned his MS in Management from Cardinal Stritch University.

Mr. Swanson most recently served as Vice President and General Manager from November 1992 through August 2005 when he assumed his current responsibilities. As Senior Vice President, Operations, Joe is responsible for Product Development, Manufacturing, Quality Assurance, Global Sourcing, and Corporate Lean/Continuous Improvement initiatives.

Active in many community activities, Joe is a past board member of the KEYS Scholarship organization of Kewaskum High School, past board member of the Threshold, Inc. of Washington County, and Past President of the Kettle Moraine YMCA.