Ben Badiola | Sr. Vice President of Manufacturing

In 2019, Ben joined SSI Foods LLC as a Co-Founder of this new company. Currently, he is leading the project to build a new 90,000 square feet state-of-the-art beef patty facility in Amarillo, Texas. As Sr. Vice President of Operations, Ben brings his diversified leadership and experiences to the company.

Ben was the Co-Founder of CTI Foods and retired in 2017 after serving for 14 years as the Executive Vice President of Operations. He offers over 35 years of operations, purchasing, margin management, and project management experience in the meat and food processing industries. He is a hands-on and financially focused executive with a broad range of entrepreneurial business experiences. Ben was also an owner and key member of the CTI Foods’ Executive Team that grew company annual sales from $300 Million to 1.5 Billion in less than 4 years.

Prior to Co-Founding CTI Foods, Ben was Vice President of Operations at SSI / S&S Foods from 1986 – 2003. He was instrumental in establishing world-class manufacturing facilities that propelled the company from a regional commodity beef processor into a nationally recognized value-added protein processor while producing a wide range of products for national chain account restaurants and food distributors.

Ben is a well-respected veteran of the food industry. He is an innovative manufacturing executive focused on building sustainable and profitable businesses, while ensuring employee safety and food safety are cornerstone to the organization. His market insights and purchasing aptitude have created millions of dollars in value to businesses over the years.

Ben was born and raised in Homedale, Idaho, where he currently resides with his wife Lori. Together they oversee The Badiola Companies, a family-owned business that operates a number of consumer goods, dining, and entertainment establishments in addition to a farming and ranching operation. They enjoy numerous outdoor activities while spending time with their family and six grandchildren. Ben is also a competitive team roper and an Owyhee County Rodeo Board Member.