President and CEO
Jack Link’s Protein Snacks | Minong
Troy Link is president and chief executive officer of Jack Link’s Protein Snacks, credited as the world’s largest manufacturer of meat snacks.
The company was founded in 1986 by Troy’s father, John “Jack” Link. Using the recipes of his great-grandfather, a master sausage maker from Germany, Jack began selling beef steaks in convenience stores around Wisconsin before buying a jerky packaging machine and taking the business nationwide. Today, the company’s portfolio of brands includes Jack Link’s, Lorissa’s Kitchen, World Kitchen’s, BiFi and Peperami, among others. Based in the village of Minong in Washburn County, Jack Link’s operates processing plants throughout the Midwest as well as New Zealand, Brazil and Germany.
Troy became president in 2003 and was appointed CEO in 2013. In that role, he oversees the executive team and has responsibility for the company’s roughly 4,000 employees.
Under his leadership, the company acquired Unilever’s meat snack division, a deal that included the BiFi brand and Peperami, in 2014. In 2019, Jack Link’s acquired Tyson Foods’ Golden Island brand. In 2024, the company inked a deal to become the title sponsor of the Nascar Cup Series race at Talladega Superspeedway, replacing former naming rights sponsor Geico. The event, to be held in April 2025, will be known as the Jack Link’s 500.
In recent years, the company made a $450 million investment in a new plant in Georgia, which is expected to create 800 jobs. It’s the company’s first manufacturing facility outside of the Midwest.
Education: Bachelor’s, University of Wisconsin-Stout
2022 Wisconsin 275 Profile
Manufacturing | Food & Beverage
President and CEO
Jack Link’s Protein Snacks | Minong
Troy Link is president and chief executive officer of Jack Link’s Protein Snacks, the largest manufacturer of meat snacks worldwide.
The company, which is based in the village of Minong in Washburn County, has a portfolio of brands that includes Jack Link’s, Lorissa’s Kitchen, MATADOR, SQUATCH, World Kitchens, Grass Run Farms Meat Snacks, Bifi and Pepperami.
Link joined the family business in 1988 – two years after its founding – while he was still in high school. Working under his father, founder Jack Link, Troy Link was named vice president of sales and marketing in 1996, where he helped widen the company’s distribution with key national retailers. Troy Link became president in 2003 and 10 years later was appointed CEO.
In 2014, the company acquired Unilever’s meat snack division, a deal that includes the BiFi brand and Peperami. In 2019, Jack Link’s acquired Tyson Foods’ Golden Island brand.
Troy Link was also influential in developing the company’s signature “Messin’ With Sasquatch” campaign.
Earlier this year, Jack Link’s announced plans for a new, $450 million plant in Georgia, which is expected to create 800 jobs – the company’s first manufacturing facility outside of the Midwest. The company is also planning expansions of its Alpena, South Dakota; Underwood, Iowa; and Minong facilities.
Education: Bachelor’s, University of Wisconsin-Stout
