John Epprecht started as a 17-year-old hourly employee in what was then his father’s regional cheese business. Over the years, John has held positions of increasing responsibility as the business has grown to be a national player and industry leader. He now serves as Vice President of Strategic Projects and as a member of the company’s Board of Directors. He is the current Chairman of the Board of Directors Governance Committee. As Vice President of Strategic Projects, John is responsible for overseeing critical initiatives such as plant and office construction, expansions, and enhancements. John is fiercely dedicated to doing what is right for all 2,800 current employees today and the many more to come in the future.

John is passionate about the Geauga County community and has served for many years as a member and Chairman of the Geauga Growth Partnership Board of Directors. He is most proud of his work with United Way of Geauga County to bring the Bridges@Work program to Great Lakes Cheese. The program provides emotional and financial support to employees so they can address urgent needs without sacrificing their future well-being.

He graduated from Berkshire High School in 1972 and participated in an Executive Development Program at Cornell University in 1994. John has served as the President of the United States Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association and as a Board Member of the Huntington Regional Advisory Board. He is a newly elected Board Member of the Western Reserve Trust Company.

John is a family businessman with a strong emphasis on family. He lives in Geauga County with his beloved wife, Deb, and is happy to have his three children, Vicky, Lauren, and Steven, close by. Steven has followed in his father’s footsteps and is a Sales Operations Manager at Great Lakes Cheese. Vicky and Lauren, also Geauga County residents, are following their passion for education by teaching the future leaders of our community. John hopes that his two young grandchildren will also consider joining the family business one day.