ED HERR
President/Director, Herr Foods Inc. 

In late 1998, Ed Herr was introduced to customers and consumers as the new Herr Foods spokesman, assuming a role long held by his father, Jim Herr, who started the business in 1946. Ed has fully enjoyed the opportunity to represent Herr’s in television commercials and in other public appearances. He admits that filling his father’s shoes will be an ongoing process, one he looks forward to pursuing. Ed’s siblings also hold leadership positions at Herr Foods. Brother J.M. is Chairman of the Board and CEO, and brother Gene serves as Chief Potato Buyer.

Ed has a life-long devotion to his community, which he has demonstrated through active service.  He sits on the boards of a number of organizations, including: the Oxford Chamber of Commerce, the Lighthouse Youth Center and the Oxford Senior Center. Ed also serves on the board of the Navigators Church Discipleship Ministry headquartered in Colorado Springs, Colorado and the board of New York City Relief. Fundamental to all of Ed’s business and civic pursuits is a deep religious commitment, which influences all of his relationships and activities.

A life-long resident and booster of Nottingham Pennsylvania, Ed has raised seven children and is the proud grandfather of four. Ed and his family are active members of the Mt. Vernon Mennonite Church. In his spare time, Ed enjoys exercise, golf, travel and yard work.

James M. Herr (J.M.) was born March 1951 in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, and grew up in Nottingham, Pennsylvania.

Following graduation from high school, J.M. attended college for two years, after which he joined the family business as Assistant to the President. After serving as Vice President and then Executive Vice President, J.M. was named President and C.O.O. in 1989 and C.E.O. in 2000. In 2005 he became Chairman of the Board.

J.M. has served as Board Chairman of the Snack Food Association and on the board of the International Bible Society. He currently serves as Chair of the YMCA of the Brandywine Valley, and on the board of Fulton Bank and the Clemens Family Corporation.  He is also active in his church.

J.M. and his wife Lois have been married for over 25 years and have four children. In addition to spending time with his family, J.M. enjoys reading, golf and horseback riding.

JAMES S. HERR
Founder, Herr Foods Inc. 

In 1946, James S. Herr launched his career with a $1,750 investment in a small Lancaster, Pennsylvania potato chip company and a keen desire to make and sell high quality snack foods.  At the time, sales averaged $30 a week.  But, the 21 year-old’s persistence and business acumen led him on a path of steady growth.  By 1999 sales volume had expanded to over $100 million annually, and the Herr’s payroll included some 1,100 employees dedicated to the production and marketing of 240 varieties of snacks in a nine state region.

Jim Herr has long been recognized as a business leader and as an innovator and mentor within the snack food industry.  In 1969, the Small Business Administration named him Outstanding Pennsylvania Businessman of the Year. He served for five years on the board of directors of the Worldwide Economic Development Team.  Among his duties was working hand in hand with aspiring African entrepreneurs.  In 1979, Jim served as International President of the Potato Chip and Snack Food Association.  The association welcomed him into its Circle of Honor in 1997. That same year he was named Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry’s Businessman of the Year. 

A strong believer in local service, Jim has served as a director of the Chester County Development Council and as Building Campaign Chair for the Southern Chester County Health Services Medical Center. He was a 12-year member of the Oxford Area School Board, serving five of those years as its President. For six years, he held a seat on the Chester County Board of School Directors.

A staunch advocate for small business, in 1972 he was elected to the board of the National Federation of Independent Business, a 600,000 member strong association of small and independent businesses. In 1989 he was elected as their Chairman, a position he held until retiring in December 2000.  He was President of Interstate Drilling Co. until it was sold in 2001, and has held leadership positions on a number of local boards and religious organizations.

Jim Herr now has the title of Founder of the Herr Foods Company, having turned the Chairmanship over to his son, J.M. Herr, on January 7, 2005. He will continue to serve on the Board.

Born in Lancaster, Pennsylvania in 1924, Jim married Miriam Hershey in 1947.  The couple moved to Nottingham in 1951, where they raised five children. The Herr’s have twenty grandchildren and four great grandchildren.