Dennis M. Mullen brings a strong background of general management expertise to his current position as president and CEO of Greater Rochester Enterprise (GRE). GRE is an economic development organization dedicated to the revitalization of Rochester, NY’s regional economy. Under Dennis’ leadership GRE has focused on marketing Rochester’s core assets – alternative energy, biotechnology, food and beverage manufacturing and optics – in an effort to attract new business to this area. During 2006 his team played a participatory role in helping create impressive results for the Rochester Region including Barilla America’s decision to build a $96.2 million pasta-manufacturing plant in Avon; Gleason Works’ announcement that it will invest $18.7 million to upgrade its plant in the City of Rochester; and CareGuide’s decision to invest $11 million in an operations facility in Henrietta.  

Prior to Mullen’s role in economic development, he worked for more than 28 years in the food industry, in a number of senior leadership positions, most recently as the president and CEO of Birds Eye Foods for 10 years. He spearheaded the acquisition of the Dean Foods Vegetable Company in 1998, which doubled the size of the Company and brought with it the Birds Eye brand. With this acquisition, Birds Eye Foods became the nations’ largest processor of frozen vegetables.

Mullen holds a BA in education from St. Leo University in Florida.

Current board positions include:

Industry

·        B&G Foods
·        Foster Farms

Community

·        St. Leo University – Vice Chair
·        St. Ann’s Foundation
·        United Way of Greater Rochester – 2006 Campaign Chair
·        Junior Achievement of Rochester
·        Rochester Institute of Technology’s School of Food, Hotel and Travel Management
         –  National Advisory Board
·        Hillside Children’s Center
·        Mercy High School

Recognition

·        William M. Mercer Humanitarian Award for outstanding volunteer contributions to the Rochester community

·        Named one of 50 Over 50 by Rochester Business Journal

·        Named CEO Communicator of the Year by the Cooperative Communicators Association

·        Received Junior Diabetes Research Foundation’s (JDRF) Hope For A Cure Inspiration Award.