David Gremmels, who has run the company since 2002, received the award at a recent American Cheese Society conference.
David Gremmels, president of Rogue Creamery, shares some of the company’s cows. [courtesy photo]
Rogue Creamery President David Gremmels will never forget the day he was introduced to the cheese industry.
It was the late 1980s, and Gremmels, then a design, merchandising and marketing entrepreneur, found himself inside an Italian cafe in Seattle trying Sally Jackson goat cheese and Cabrales blue cheese with a customer.
“I was really surprised by that moment,” Gremmels said. “From there, cheese had to be part of not only my professional life, but also every event I participated in and every meal.”
It’s that line of thinking that led the American Cheese Society to award Gremmels a lifetime achievement award during a July conference.
Endsley Eggert, the organization’s marketing manager, issued a prepared statement about Gremmels, saying her leadership is an inspiration.
“David has not only inspired his team at Rogue Creamery to strive to make great cheese, but has also improved the dairy to meet the highest standards in sustainability, innovation and team member appreciation and pride Eggert wrote in an email.
Gremmels, who earned a bachelor’s degree in marketing, worked for Nordstrom, J. Peterman and Rogue Valley’s own Harry & David before purchasing Rogue Creamery in 2002 from Ignazio “Ig” Vella, considered “the godfather of the cheese movement craftsman”.
“(He) said if I wanted his cheese, I would have to make it myself. I was very surprised by that suggestion,” Gremmels said.
It was a choice between launching a new wine and cheese bar in Ashland or saving an “iconic” Valley business from closing.
“I knew this would win my mom’s appreciation,” Gremmels said.
In the past two decades, Rogue Creamery hasn’t slowed down, continuing to produce cheese using sustainable business practices in Central Point. Most notably, the business was crowned world champion at the 2019/20 World Cheese Awards in Bergamo, Italy for its flagship product, Rogue River Blue.
“It was definitely the highlight of my career,” Gremmels said, “and it was one of the most memorable days of my life at Rogue Creamery. I always like to say that the world fell on its skin that day. moment”.
He says his career overall “never followed a straight path,” but it’s one that presented both “obstacles and opportunities.” In the meantime, he has appreciated the people he has met “throughout my journey.”
Gremmels has taken the things he learned from his mentors and combined them with his own leadership style. He noted how he has added to his business mantra, “safe, healthy, positive,” the term “other-centered.”
“The vision of Rogue Creamery is simply these words,” Gremmels said, “making an impact one meal at a time.”
Contact reporter Kevin Opsahl at 541-776-4476 or kopsahl@rosebudmedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @KevJourno.
