10 Darling Ingredients operations leaders
Brandon Lairmore, EVP US Rendering Operations at Darling Ingredients, leads off this group of Darling Ingredients operations leaders, which also includes a senior vice president of operations, regional vice presidents and a director of operations. A reader can learn how operations leaders work at Darling Ingredients from people who have held the role.
Professionals to explore
Brandon Lachner
LinkedInExperience: Regional Vice President · Darling Ingredients
Brandon Lachner has been Regional Vice President at Darling Ingredients since September 2023, based in the Cincinnati Metropolitan Area. Brandon Lachner was Vice President Specialty Operations at Darling Ingredients from 2021 to 2023, Director of Operations there from 2020 to 2021 and Division Operations Manager at Tyson Foods from 2014 to 2020.
Brandon Lairmore
LinkedInExperience: EVP US Rendering Operations · Darling Ingredients
Brandon Lairmore has been EVP US Rendering Operations at Darling Ingredients since July 2023, based in the Cincinnati Metropolitan Area. Brandon Lairmore was Senior Vice President-North East at Darling Ingredients from 2018 to 2023, Regional Vice President- Great Lakes there from 2016 to 2018 and Director Of Operations, By-Products Group at Pilgrim's from 2013 to 2016.
John Stracener
LinkedInExperience: Senior Vice President Operations · Darling Ingredients
John Stracener has been Senior Vice President Operations at Darling Ingredients since December 2022, based in the Cincinnati Metropolitan Area. John Stracener was Vice President Of Engineering at Darling Ingredients from 2021 to 2022, Director of Engineering and Contruction there from 2020 to 2021 and Regional Project Manager there from 1995 to 2020.
Jorge Urias
LinkedInExperience: Regional Vice President of Operations Fertilizer & Wet Pet · Darling Ingredients
Jorge Urias has been Regional Vice President of Operations Fertilizer & Wet Pet at Darling Ingredients since March 2026, based in Omaha, Nebraska. Jorge Urias was Director of Operations Wet Pet at Darling Ingredients from 2024 to 2026, General Manager there from 2020 to 2024 and General Manager/manager/president at Progressive Protein LLC from 2009 to 2020.
Kenton Betz
LinkedInExperience: Regional Vice President · Darling Ingredients
Kenton Betz has been Regional Vice President at Darling Ingredients since October 2025, based in Bastrop, Texas. Kenton Betz was General Manager at Darling Ingredients from 2021 to 2025, Plant Manager at Land O'Lakes, Inc. from 2019 to 2021 and Production Manager at Land O'Lakes, Inc. from 2017 to 2019.
Mark Skelley
LinkedInExperience: Vice President of Fleet Operations North America · Darling Ingredients
Mark Skelley has been Vice President of Fleet Operations North America at Darling Ingredients since December 2022, based in Union, Kentucky. Mark Skelley was Corporate Fleet Manager and Senior Corporate Fleet Mgr and Technical Director at Darling Ingredients from 2007 to 2022 and District Service Manager at Eaton corporation from 2004 to 2007.
Matt Jansen
LinkedInExperience: Chief Operating Officer - N.A. · Darling Ingredients
Matt Jansen is a former Darling Ingredients leader who was Chief Operating Officer - N.A. there from May 2023 to September 2025, based in Dallas, Texas. Matt Jansen was Senior Managing Director at StepStone Group from 2020 to 2023 and Founder at Performance Capital Advisors from 2019 to 2023.
Shawn Kallam
LinkedInExperience: Central Region Vice President · Darling Ingredients
Shawn Kallam has been Central Region Vice President at Darling Ingredients since August 2021, based in Collinsville, Oklahoma. Shawn Kallam was General Manager at Darling Ingredients from 2014 to 2021, Plant Manager there from 2008 to 2014, Assistant Plant Manager there from 2005 to 2008 and Maintenance Worker there from 2003 to 2005.
Thorsten Seeger
LinkedInExperience: Director of Operations · Darling Ingredients
Thorsten Seeger has been Director of Operations at Darling Ingredients since March 2026, based in the Netherlands. Thorsten Seeger was Chief Technical Officer at SARIA Group from 2021 to 2026, Managing Director at SARIA Germany from 2010 to 2026 and Plant Manager / Management Committee at Walter Rau Neusser Öl und Fett AG from 2000 to 2010.
Tom Molini
LinkedInExperience: VP South Region · Darling Ingredients
Tom Molini has been VP South Region at Darling Ingredients since February 2015, based in Dallas, Texas. Tom Molini was General Manager at Darling Ingredients from 2002 to 2015, Internal Auditor there from 1998 to 2002 and Plant Manager there from 1987 to 1998.
Choose the right perspective
Pick the person whose region or part of operations, such as rendering plants, fleet or specialty products, matches the question you have. Former leaders are listed last.
Questions to take into the conversation
- 01How did you decide where to focus first when you took on your operations role at Darling Ingredients?
- 02What did you learn running operations across the region or area you oversaw?
- 03How do you keep safety and environmental performance steady across the sites you oversee?
Reaching Darling Ingredients operations leaders
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About this directory
This is a professional research starting point based on business profile data retrieved on . Titles and companies reflect that source snapshot; roles marked former had ended by then. Check the linked profiles for current details. Inclusion does not imply Instant Expert membership or availability.
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