Menasha Corporation has launched a leadership transition in its legal department with the appointment of Brian Cothroll as Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary.
The announcement, made on November 17, takes effect immediately.
Cothroll succeeds Mark Fogarty, who will retire on April 3, 2026, after a combined 25 years with the company. The two executives will work in parallel over the coming months to support a smooth handover of responsibilities.
Incoming General Counsel
Cothroll brings more than 20 years of legal leadership experience in global manufacturing and publicly traded companies. He most recently served as vice president and deputy general counsel at Generac Holdings, where he oversaw governance, compliance and key legal initiatives for the $4.3-billion energy technology company.
His background also includes senior roles at A.O. Smith Corporation and early career practice at Foley & Lardner LLP. He holds a law degree with honors from the University of Wisconsin–Madison and is a member of the State Bar of Wisconsin.
“We are excited to welcome Brian to Menasha Corporation,” said Chris Drees, President and CEO. “His experience and insight will be invaluable as we continue to grow.”
Celebrating 25 Years of Service
Fogarty first joined Menasha in 1994 as corporate counsel. After a period at Kimberly-Clark, he returned in 2006 to lead the company’s legal organization. Over his tenure, he advised the executive team on governance, major transactions and strategic decisions while helping preserve Menasha’s legacy as a family-owned enterprise.
“Mark’s leadership, integrity, and deep legal expertise have made a lasting impact on Menasha Corporation,” Drees said. “He has earned the respect of colleagues across the company and the Board of Directors, and we are deeply grateful for his many years of dedicated service.”
Menasha Corporation is one of the oldest family-owned manufacturing companies in the United States, specializing in packaging and material handling solutions. The company operates through its two primary businesses—Menasha Packaging Company and ORBIS Corporation—and serves customers across the food, beverage, healthcare, agriculture and industrial sectors. Headquartered in Neenah, Wisconsin, Menasha maintains operations throughout North America.
Source: Menasha
