Pacific Western Brewing has a new plant manager.
Cindy Hartford will take over from Tom Leboe effective Sept. 1, the company said in a statement issued Thursday.
Hartford started in PWB's quality assurance department in 1996 and has been credited with developing new "ready to drink" products, namely vodka sodas and ciders. She also oversaw installation of a new Krones filler and pasturizer in 2018, which was completed on time and on budget.
"We are excited that Cindy will bring her expertise and keen attention to detail to her new role," PWB CEO Taizan Komatsu said.
She will take over from Tom Leboe, who will retire after 50 years at PWB. Komatsu said his departure comes with "much emotion."
"Tom's dedication to PWB has made a difference that is hard to adequately measure. He will be missed," Komatsu added.
Leboe started working at the brewery on Dec. 22, 1969 as part of the labour pool. Six owners later, on March 1, 1991, he became the plant manager, a position he held until his first "retirement" in August of 2012.
He continued as a special advisor to senior plant management until January 2018 when he was asked to return full time and resume his role as plant manager.
"We are grateful that Tom will be an integral part of the training process as Cindy transitions into her new position," Komatsu said.
