It was February 1996 when Tom Hornstein – handpicked to lead Excalibur Seasoning by its founder, the late Jerry Hall – accepted the position to help elevate the meat & seafood seasonings company to a higher level.

I still have the classified ad for the job on my office window sill,” recalls Hornstein. “Excalibur was looking for a production manager and I was looking for a career. Watching the company’s evolution over the years is nothing short of amazing. We’ve witnessed some tremendous gains for Excalibur. The company experienced steady growth, expanded offerings and broadened our reputation in the protein industry.”

After a 25-year run, Hornstein retires effective June 4. Mike Shrier, Excalibur Seasoning Chairman of the Board, has been named as his successor.

The last year has been the most challenging, and yet also the most successful, for Excalibur,” says Hornstein. “I’m incredibly pleased at how we handled both. The company is in great hands with Mike Shrier taking the helm, so it’s the right time for me to start my next chapter.”

During his tenure as president & CEO, Hornstein led the production of Excalibur’s meat & seafood seasoning brands, and helped generate impressive results in both revenue and earnings through innovative brand and business strategies. He helped grow the business from its regional entrepreneurial stage to becoming a fully-established, national brand among meat processors, grocery & retail, and grill masters nationwide.

Every employee had a stake in our success. I take great pride in having cultivated an atmosphere where employees pull together to accomplish great things and achieve results. Jerry’s vision for what Excalibur should be remained at the forefront of our daily operations – a company focused on family values that people can rely on for quality products.”

Hornstein has been actively involved in the community, sitting on several civic and corporate Boards, including Pekin Insurance Companies, Busey Bank, Goodwill Industries of Central Illinois, Peoria Notre Dame High School, United Way of Pekin and the Pekin Chamber of Commerce.