Mr. Ronald Torch

biography

Ronald S. Torch, a classically trained brand manager and marketing strategist, serves as the firm's President and CEO. After establishing the firm in 1990 in Stamford, CT, Ron has led the growth and diversification of the Torch Group from a one-person marketing consulting firm to a specialized and nationally recognized executive search firm that delivers senior-level talent that makes a difference to food service restaurant franchises as well as food, beverage and equipment manufacturers that serve the commercial and institutional food service market segments.

Prior to starting the Torch Group, Ron held progressively more responsible executive marketing and sales positions in Fortune 500 foodservice and consumer packaged goods businesses and agencies in the New York area. Throughout his career, Mr. Torch has created award-winning marketing campaigns that include Seagram's Wine Coolers on-premise promotions, Pepsi-Cola Food service local market programs, A.1. Steak Sauce back-of-the-house and table-top restaurant advertising and Grey Poupon Mustard Chef Size packaging.

In order to better serve their clients evolving needs, in 1999, Ron began transforming Torch Group from a marketing consulting practice to a highly-specialized search and staffing firm that provides executive search and interim staffing and strategic consulting expertise to the food service industry and marketing and sales disciplines.

During this period, Torch Group recorded record sales growth and received the prestigious Weatherhead 100 Award for exceptional growth three years in a row.

Torch holds an M.B.A. in marketing from Indiana University's Kelly School of Business, graduating with Honors and being named "Outstanding M.B.A." He was past chairman of the Promotion Marketing Association's New York Chapter, and received a Gold Effie for his breakthrough A.1. Steak Sauce Foodservice advertising.