Ryan Reigle

President & Chief Executive Officer

Ryan is a fourth-generation descendant of Regal Ware founder, J.O. Reigle. He recently stepped into the role of President and CEO of Regal Ware in March 2021, succeeding his father, Jeffrey Reigle. Ryan is a visionary with a proven track record of execution. His strong customer-centric focus and extensive leadership capabilities uniquely position him to successfully implement the company’s strategy while delivering exceptional value to its customers, employees and partners by fulfilling Regal Ware’s mission of enriching life by bringing families together across the world. Ryan and the key members of the Holding Company Executive Committee are vital in leading the development and oversight of the organization’s vision and strategic plan, delivering profitable growth for the success of its customers, shareholders and the family members who have chosen Regal Ware as their place of employment.

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.  

Ryan is a graduate from St. Norbert College with a bachelor’s degree in business administration and economics, and he earned his executive MBA from Texas Christian University. He is active in the community and currently serves on the board of directors for the Direct Selling Association (DSA) (2019-current). He is also an active subcommittee member with the Tower Heritage Center and a former member of the board for the Boys & Girls Club of Washington County.

Dave Lenz

Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer

Dave was appointed Chief Operating Officer in March 2016, and oversees day-to-day operations and people systems to effectively grow the organization with operational excellence.

Since joining Regal Ware in 2002, Dave has served in progressive leadership roles with increasing responsibility in both the operations and administrative support functions of the company. His diverse experience and rich history at Regal Ware include roles as Corporate Director of Human Resources (2002-2005); Vice President and General Manager of Manufacturing (2005-2008); Senior Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer (2008-2016) and most recently, Senior Vice President & Chief Operating Officer (2016-2021). He previously held various management positions in human resources and safety at The West Bend Company before it was acquired by Regal Ware.

Dave earned a BSE degree from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater and a master’s degree in human resource management from the Keller Graduate School of Management. He is an active community participant, currently serving on the board of Economic Development Washington County since 2009. He’s also a past board president of the Family Center of Washington County. Dave is a member of the Executive Committee and actively serves on the Board of Directors for Regal Ware.

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

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.

Jeffrey A. Reigle

Chairman of the Board

Jeffrey is a third-generation descendant 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 his son, Ryan Reigle. Jeffrey continues to be an integral member of Regal Ware’s Executive Committee as Chairman of the Board.

Under Jeffrey’s leadership, the company has always had a reputation for integrity, growth, innovation and continual reinvention. Jeffrey was always willing to invest in new ideas while keeping a focus on their customers, suppliers, and employees’ success. His continued commitment of building the type of company that treats Regal Ware employees, 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 has held several progressively responsible positions within Regal Ware, including various sales and production management positions from 1973-1984; Vice President of Corporate Development from 1984-1986; Vice President of Sales from 1986-1988; Executive Vice President of Housewares Sales from 1988-1991; and President & CEO from 1992-March 2021.

Jeffrey 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. Jeffrey 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 graduated from Carroll College in Waukesha, Wisconsin in 1973, with a bachelor’s degree in business.

Douglas J. Reigle

Senior Vice President, Sales

Douglas, also a third-generation descendant of founder J.O. Reigle, graduated from Carroll College in Waukesha, Wisconsin in 1981 with a bachelor’s degree in both business administration and economics.

In 1993, Douglas 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 of International Sales and has also served as Vice President of Direct Sales from 1998-2001; Senior Vice President of Sales & Marketing from 2001-2010; Chief Operating Officer from 2010-2012; and Vice President of Supply Chain Management from 2013-2019. Douglas was elected to Regal Ware’s Board of Directors in 1995 and named an officer of the company in 2001.

Douglas 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. Douglas 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.