Executive Profiles

EDWARD W. HAWKINS, JR., CEO
Edward Hawkins is a 40-year veteran of Litehouse Foods and was named CEO in 1989. Hawkins is responsible for the operations side of the business and oversees Litehouse sales and marketing with his brother, Doug.

In 1963, Edward and Doug expanded their father’s restaurant in Hope, Idaho, The Litehouse, in order to package and distribute the restaurant’s signature salad dressing to local grocery stores. Litehouse Foods, Inc. was established in Sandpoint, Idaho the same year. Hawkins’ first job with Litehouse was as a mixer in the production department. He became financial manager in 1977 and head of operations in 1985. He continues to be instrumental in growing Litehouse and fostering the company vision, “Built to last.”

Hawkins was born in Pullman, Wash., and grew up in Hope, Idaho. He received a bachelor of arts degree in elementary education from the University of Idaho. For several years, Hawkins served on the Economic Development Board for the Sandpoint community. Keeping Litehouse involved in the community and surrounding areas continues to be one of his high priorities. The company currently supports local schools, youth sports and educational opportunities, the arts and community events.

Edward and his wife Rebecca, who recently retired from Litehouse's IT Department, have four children: Elizabeth, 24 ; Christopher, 21 ; Nicholas, 19 ; and Brandon, 15 .

DOUGLAS V. (DOUG) HAWKINS, President
Doug Hawkins has served as president of Litehouse Foods since 1984. As President, Hawkins oversees sales and marketing, serves on the Board of Directors and as the company spokesperson.

Hawkins was born and raised in Hope, Idaho. He received a bachelor of arts in education from the University of Idaho. He trained as a chef at his father's side, who taught Hawkins and his brother, at a very young age, how to prepare food, how people react to the presentation of food, and how to interpret various philosophies on food. Hawkins has authored articles in Success Magazine and Entrepreneur Magazine, and was asked to write a chapter in the book Executive Influence by Christopher A. Crane and Mike Hamel. He also is a recipient of the Sam Walton Business Award.

Keeping Litehouse involved in the community and surrounding areas continues to be one of the Hawkins families' highest priority. A former Sandpoint City Councilman, Doug currently serves on the University of Idaho College of Education Advisory Board, the Bonner County Economic Development Committee.

Hawkins, and his wife Lodi, have six children and seven grandchildren.

WENDELL L. CHRISTOFF, Vice Chairman
Wendell Christoff, started his lifelong career in the salad dressing business capping French dressing bottles in his family’s business. That was 55 years ago and before child labor laws were enacted! In 1932, the company, Chadalee Farms, started in Lowell, MI.

It was purchased in 1951 by Dorothy and Clinton Christoff, Wendell’s parents. The business grew from a single flavor of separating salad dressing (serving the local area) into a large, regional manufacturer of over 1,000 different salad dressings, sauces, dips and horseradish products – primarily for the foodservice and industrial markets.

Wendell grew up in Lowell and received a food marketing degree from Western Michigan University. Following school, he flew worldwide as a U.S. Air Force pilot. Then re-entered the family business. He served in various operational, sales/marketing and finance roles before becoming President.

In 1997, Chadalee Farms and Litehouse merged to form a national company.

Christoff has been very active in many community organizations including Ada Bible Church, Lowell Rotary Club, Rotary International, Junior Achievement, YMCA, United Way and a variety of other organizations. He currently is Vice Chairman of the Association of Dressings and Sauces and Chairman of the Horseradish Information Council.

Wendell and his wife, Helen enjoy traveling, boating and serving God. Their son, Nathan, heads up the Litehouse Asian operation in Thailand.