Grain Craft Hired New Sales Director

The Chattanooga-based milling company appointed Rob Gusman to lead its strategic growth efforts.

Updated on Oct. 14, 2026 in People

Live Poll

Do you believe new leadership roles in your local companies improve customer relationship outcomes?

Grain Craft has appointed Rob Gusman as its new sales director, effective October 5. Gusman replaces longtime executive Matt Petty, who is set to retire in December.

Why it matters

The transition marks a leadership change at the flour milling company as it looks to continue driving growth for its large-scale manufacturing and distribution clients.

Rob Gusman previously spent 8.5 years at Miller Milling Co., while the outgoing Matt Petty concludes a 40-year career that included more than 25 years at Grain Craft and predecessor firms.

The players

Rob Gusman

He is the newly appointed sales director at Grain Craft who previously spent nearly a decade at Miller Milling Co.

Matt Petty

He is a veteran industry executive retiring from Grain Craft after more than 25 years with the company and its predecessors.

Grain Craft

Headquartered in Chattanooga, this company is a major flour miller serving manufacturers and distributors across the country.

The details

In his new role based in Chattanooga, Gusman is responsible for overseeing strategic customer growth for brokers, distributors, and multi-location manufacturers. Petty will officially conclude his tenure in December after a long career in the baking and milling industry.

Rob Gusman graduated from California Polytechnic State University in 1998.
Rob Gusman assumed his new position at Grain Craft on Oct. 5, 2026.
Matt Petty is scheduled to retire in December 2026.

Market Landscape

The hiring of a director from a major competitor like Miller Milling Co. follows a pattern set by industry leaders seeking to capture market share through experienced talent. This move signals Grain Craft's intent to maintain competitive positioning amid the consolidation trend in the North American flour milling industry.

For the company's large-scale manufacturing and distribution clients, this transition signals a continuation of established account management strategies. Daily operations and service levels for customers are expected to remain consistent as the new sales leadership takes charge.

The takeaway

Leadership transitions in specialized manufacturing sectors often rely on cross-pollinating talent from direct competitors to maintain institutional knowledge. Clients of such firms should monitor these executive shifts to understand potential changes in long-term service priorities.