ATCHISON, Kan., June 14, 2012— Mike Lasater has been promoted to vice president of ingredients sales and marketing at MGP Ingredients, Inc. (MGP) effective immediately.  He brings over 20 years of sales and marketing experience to his new position, most recently serving as national sales director at the company since 2010.

“Mike has been a vital member of our executive team since his return to MGP two years ago,” said Tim Newkirk, president and chief executive officer. “We are pleased to elevate him to this key management role at the company. Mike has demonstrated his ability to effectively lead the ingredients team to provide ongoing sales growth and further deliver outstanding service to our customer partners.”

Lasater attended Emporia (Kan.) State University, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in business management in 1992.  He joined MGP the following year, serving as a territorial sales manager in the company’s former wheat starch business unit.  In 2000, he accepted the role of corporate accounts manager for National Starch and Chemical Co., now a part of Ingredion. He remained in that position until 2005, when he joined Gregg and Associates, a food ingredients brokerage business based in Excelsior, Minn., where he spent over five years as a partner and sales associate.

“I am grateful for my new role at MGP and proud to be part of a team that is focused on efficiently delivering functional ingredients to our valued customers,” Lasater said.  “Our customer-driven team approach to provide solutions to the consumer packaged goods industry will ensure continued growth and success for many years to come.”

About MGP Ingredients, Inc.

In business since 1941, MGP Ingredients, Inc. is a recognized pioneer in the development and production of value-added, grain-based starches, proteins and food-grade alcohol products for the branded packaged goods industry. The Company’s facilities in Atchison, Kan., Onaga, Kan, and at its newest site located in the adjoined towns of Lawrenceburg and Greendale, Ind., are dedicated to utilizing the latest technologies and innovations to assure high quality products and to maintain efficient production and service capabilities. For more information, visit www.mgpingredients.com.