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Our Story & Our Team
For three decades, St. Louis Ingredients has helped manufacturers navigate complex sourcing challenges with one simple philosophy: relationships come first.
Founded in 1996 by industry veterans Jim Heinz and Jim Pietroburgo, STLI was built on the belief that honest communication, dependable service, and trusted partnerships create lasting value. Those principles remain the foundation of our business today.
What began as a regional ingredient brokerage in Kirkwood, Missouri has evolved into a diversified sourcing and supply chain partner serving customers throughout North America. While brokerage remains at our core, our capabilities have expanded to include global importing, distribution, inventory management, and export solutions.
Through a carefully selected network of world-class growers, processors, and manufacturers, we supply a broad portfolio of ingredients, including cocoa, coffee, egg products, fruits and vegetables, flavors, proteins, sweeteners, vitamins, and more. Headquartered in O'Fallon, Illinois, with warehouse operations in Hazelwood, Missouri, we support flexible inventory programs, just-in-time deliveries, and dependable distribution.
Quality is at the center of everything we do. We uphold rigorous food safety, supplier qualification, and product quality standards across every ingredient we represent. From full containers of imported products to single pallets of specialty ingredients, every order receives the same attention and accountability. Quality should never depend on order size. It should be the standard.
Although the retirements of Jim Heinz in 2015 and Jim Pietroburgo in 2025 marked important milestones in our history, their legacy continues to guide our team. We honor that foundation by combining decades of industry experience with technical expertise, innovative sourcing solutions, and a commitment to helping our customers succeed.
Markets will change. Supply chains will evolve. Our commitment will not.
We remain dedicated to delivering exceptional ingredients, uncompromising quality, and long-term partnerships that create lasting value.
Mike Truran
Owner & President
Mike joined SLFI as an owner in 2013 after a career in the grocery retail brokerage and private label industries. He has a B.S. in Business from Millikin University in Decatur, IL and an MBA from Webster University in St. Louis, MO.
Mike took full ownership of SLFI in 2024 after a successful and long-term partnership with company founders Jim Pietroburgo and Jim Heinz.
In addition to his ownership role, Mike also supports the company sales efforts by managing key accounts, supplier relations and our growing distribution and warehousing programs.
Mike lives in O'Fallon, IL with his wife Emily, their two daughters and their Bernadoodle, Willow.
John Betten
Sr. Manager, Ingredient Sales
John became part of the SLFI team in January 2021 after a career in the commercial insurance industry.
He has a B.A. in Administration and Management from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville.
As a senior manager in the company John is responsible for Key Accounts and overall sales strategy and execution.
John has developed expertise in some of SLFI's longest standing categories including Asian sauces and seasonings, fruit juice concentrates, vitamin blends and premixes.
John lives in O'Fallon, IL with his wife Caroline, their son, and the family dog, Lloyd.
Luke Stadts
Ingredient Sales Manager
Luke started with SLFI in the Fall of 2024. He was previously in a regional sales role within the food colors industry.
Luke holds a Business degree from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale.
Luke is also responsible for Key Account management and executing on sales strategy.
He has developed a strong knowledge base of SLFI's commodity ingredients including cocoa, eggs, oils and others.
Luke lives in O'Fallon, IL with his wife Natalie and their two dogs, Cash and Waylon. When they're not at home, you might find them in the woods tracking whitetail deer or turkey as he's an avid hunter.
Brittany Smith
Customer Service & Inside Sales Manager
Brittany has been with SLFI since 2016 and previously worked for a large Midwest dairy processor.
From order receipt to final confirmation and delivery, Brittany is in touch with our customers and suppliers through every step in the orders and supply process,
She also supports our sales operations by managing inside sales including several of our longest standing local accounts here in St. Louis.
Brittany lives in Columbia, IL with her wife Alicia, their daughter Sophia, and two dogs, Lucee and Alaska.
Christine Leick-Cord
Quality & Food Safety Manager
Christine joined the SLFI team in early 2026 to help elevate our food safety and quality programs along with our organic certification, documentation processes and inventory management.
She served in previous roles with Nestle Purina, Dupont Health & Nutrition as well as an educator at Mississippi State University and Garden City College in Kansas.
Christine has an M.S. in Meat Science from University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and a Ph.D. in Food Science from Mississippi State University.
Christine lives in O'Fallon, IL with her husband Travis and their three children.
Jakob Budge
Business Development Manager
Jakob started with SLFI in the Fall of 2026 to help lead a Business Development initiative in the beverage and brewery industries.
Prior to joining SLFI, Jakob worked in the Microbrewery space for Millpond Brewing in Millstadt, IL and Heavy Riff Brewing Co. in St. Louis, MO.
He has a passion for brewing and enjoys working alongside brewmasters to develop high-quality beers from session ales to fruited and seasonal beers.
Jakob is a graduate from the University of Missouri in Columbia, MO and currently lives in the historic Soulard neighborhood of St. Louis with his girlfriend Sarah.
Berni Macy
AP & AR
Berni has been with SLFI since 2017 following a career in banking administration.
Berni is responsible for our day to day accounts payables and receivables.
Berni is also a liason between SLFI and our partners for all things accounting, invoicing, record keeping and other various tasks that come up in the daily operations.
Berni is an active member of her church and lives in Columbia, IL with her husband Al.
When she is not spending time with her grandkids, you can find Berni enjoying a glass of wine at one of their favorite wineries in Missouri.
