Keith Masser
President/CEO, Keystone Potato Products, LLC
President/CEO, Sterman Masser, Inc.
Keith Masser is a seventh generation potato farmer. After graduating from Penn State with a Bachelor of Science degree in Agricultural Engineering in 1973, Keith spent four years as a Project Engineer with Proctor and Gamble before returning to the family business in 1976. In 1978, Keith expanded the potato storage and packaging area to increase the fresh potato shipping segment of the business. In 1990, the potato packing warehouse was expanded to incorporate a computerized packing line. In 1999, Keith completed a $5.5 million expansion that increased cooler and storage space to 1,000,000 square feet and added a state-of-the-art washing, grading, and packing line.
Keith has been the President and CEO of Sterman Masser, Inc. since taking the reins from his father in 1984. Since that time he has grown the business from a $2 million per year operation to a current sales level of $50 million per year. In addition to his business responsibilities, Keith is an active leader in the local community and has served on several national and state organizations including the National Potato Council, United States Potato Board, and the PA Potato Research Advisory Board. Keith has also been the President of the Pennsylvania Co-operative Potato Growers since 1990.
Cory Schlegel
General Manager, Keystone Potato Products, LLC
Cory Schlegel graduated from Penn State with a Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial Engineering in 1988. After graduation, he worked for a coatings and sealants manufacturer in New Jersey for five years. Holding the title of Plant Superintendent, he was responsible for leading a 30-plus member workforce in the day-to-day receiving, manufacturing, and shipping operations. In 1994, Cory and his wife returned to Schuylkill County, PA. From 1994 to 2002, Cory worked as a Senior Industrial Engineer at Alcoa's aluminum extrusion facility in Cressona, PA, which employs over 1,000 workers.
In April 2002, Cory was contracted by the Pennsylvania Co-operative Potato Growers, under the supervision of Keith Masser, to conduct the feasibility study and move this business venture forward.
Cory served as Project Manager during the design and construction phase. In spring of 2005, the facility began producing dehydrated potato flakes and flour. Cory has been the company's general manager since operations began.
