Prime Highlights:
- Ann Garner Riddle, former President and CEO of Garner Foods, has been named the 2026 Outstanding Women in Business Legacy Award winner by Triad Business Journal.
- Her decades-long leadership and innovation in the family-owned business exemplify her lasting impact on the food industry and the community.
Key Facts:
- Riddle spent 53 years at Garner Foods, leading the company for 14 years and contributing to brands like Texas Pete, Green Mountain Gringo, and tortilla chips.
- She continues her community work as chair of the Garner Foods Foundation and received North Carolina’s highest civilian honor, the Order of the Longleaf Pine, in 2025.
Background:
Former Garner Foods President and CEO Ann Garner Riddle has been named the 2026 Outstanding Women in Business Legacy Award winner by the Triad Business Journal. The publication will honor her during its annual awards event on April 16 at Cadillac Garage in Greensboro.
Riddle spent 53 years at Garner Foods, a family-owned company founded in 1929 in Winston-Salem. She led the business for 14 years as president and CEO before retiring at the end of 2024. The company produces well-known brands such as Texas Pete sauces, Green Mountain Gringo salsa, and tortilla chips.
Riddle, a third-generation member of the Garner family, said working alongside relatives brought both joy and responsibility. She noted that respect and a clear boundary between business and home life helped the family succeed.
After earning a psychology degree from Hollins University, Riddle began her career in the company’s quality control lab. She later earned a second bachelor’s degree in food science from North Carolina State University. Over the years, she worked in nearly every department, including production, operations, and product development. She helped develop new products, introduced computer systems, and became the first person at the company to receive federal certification in canning.
Following her retirement, Riddle became chair of the Garner Foods Foundation. The family has long supported community organizations, including Second Harvest Food Bank of Northwest North Carolina, Senior Services Inc., Winston-Salem Rescue Mission, and LEAD Girls of NC.
In December, Riddle received the Order of the Longleaf Pine, North Carolina’s highest civilian honor, for her service and leadership.
Triad Business Journal announced 25 honorees for its 2026 Outstanding Women in Business Awards. The winners will be featured in a special publication and recognized at the April ceremony.
