Alto-Shaam Leadership Team Strengthens with Five Promotions

Alto-Shaam announces a series of leadership promotions, further strengthening the business as a global leader in the commercial foodservice equipment industry. 

Karen Hansen, former chief executive officer, transitions to chairwoman of the board. Steve Maahs, former president and chief operating officer, transitions to chief executive officer. Since 2006, Steve and Karen have led the business, which was founded and built by their father, Jerry Maahs in 1955. Jerry invented Halo Heat® technology and the original Cook & Hold oven in 1968. Throughout Steve’s leadership, Alto-Shaam has continued to advance the foodservice equipment industry, most recently with the introduction of an entirely new cooking category – multi-cook ovens. 

“We have a strong desire to evolve our family business with our third-generation family members, as we continue Jerry’s pioneering legacy,” Steve said. “With these strategic transitions, Alto-Shaam is building a successful private, multi-generational, family company that will create long-term success and opportunity for our customers, employees and partners, as we take on what’s next.” 

Additionally, Lucy McQuillan has been promoted to president of Alto-Shaam. Formerly chief commercial officer, she brings more than 30 years of foodservice industry experience. 

“Lucy is poised to successfully lead the organization through the development and execution of Alto-Shaam’s strategic objectives and key results,” Steve said. “During her time at Alto-Shaam, she has led the creation of Alto-Shaam’s global commercial leadership team and product management discipline, empowering our growth.” 

Lucy will continue commercial leadership, as well as the addition of engineering leadership, which is the discipline where her career began. She earned her degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Birmingham. 

Further developing Alto-Shaam’s c-level management team, Dan Schaus has been promoted to chief financial officer. In this role, he will drive scalable, long-term growth. Dan brings more than 20 years of financial leadership experience in the areas of financial planning and analysis, accounting and tax, treasury management, risk management, and technology leadership. He joined Alto-Shaam in 2020 as vice president of finance after growing his career as a VP of finance at a leading, global manufacturer of engineered mechanical components. 

To further support Alto-Shaam’s global growth and presence, JK Raghavan also transitions to senior vice president of global supply chain and international manufacturing operations. JK brings extensive experience of more than 27 years with Alto-Shaam to this new role.

Alto-Shaam has a full team ready to help operators accomplish their foodservice goals. To learn more, contact an Alto-Shaam expert.