About Us

The Covenance Story.

A Legacy of Manufacturing Excellence

At Covenance Group, we are driven by a deep passion for innovation and sustainability in food manufacturing. With over 90 years of combined experience, our founders have built a reputation for excellence, integrity, and unmatched expertise in the industry.


Our mission is to empower small to medium-sized food brands with the tools, knowledge, and resources they need to scale their production and reach their full potential. 


Through our three divisions – Covenance Manufacturing, Covenance Technical, and Covenance Enterprise – we provide end-to-end solutions for the modern food manufacturing landscape.


Join us as we continue to shape the future of food manufacturing, one partnership at a time.

Our Vision and Mission

We are dedicated to changing the world through manufacturing. This is more than a mission, it is a Vision that guides our actions. It challenges us to do good, be better, deliver excellence, and value for our partners and people.

Covenance Group uses its collective knowledge and skills to provide full spectrum solutions and support to Entrepreneurial companies in the food and beverage space. Our services are tailored with you and our communities in mind. Because we understand that if you succeed, we all succeed.

Get to know the team bringing the vision to life.

Doug Herald

COO/Co-CEO

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Doug is a known food manufacturing expert with over 30 years of experience, having worked for top companies such as Sara Lee Foods, The Wornick Co., Zwanenburg (Baxter) Food Group USA, and AmeriQual. As Global Vice President of Continuous Improvement, he implemented the Baxter Operating System in various countries and brought the Toyota Way into the food and beverage industry. He is a people-first leader and believes in engaging employees to set a company apart. Doug has also been successful in managing organizational change and turning around a depleted workforce by focusing on customer needs and applying lean principles.







Traci Knutson

CTO

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Traci is a seasoned pro in the food and beverage industry with over 21 years of experience driving change and empowering organizations. She excels in food safety, quality, and regulatory management and has a proven track record of success in product innovation, process improvement, and project management. Traci holds a B.S. in Chemistry and Biology and is a certified expert in advanced thermal processing, juice HACCP, FDA regulations, and more. As a member of the Juice and Beverage Safety Taskforce Steering Committee and the A.J. Moore Business Advisory Board, Traci is a respected voice in the industry. With her expertise and leadership skills, Traci is a true game-changer in the world of food and beverage.





Jill Costelow

Co-CEO/CFO

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Jill Costelow is a rockstar in the food and beverage industry with over 25 years of experience under her belt! She's worked for both big names like Nestle and Coca Cola, as well as smaller startups like Pressed Juicery. Jill is a true all-rounder, with experience in building new plants from scratch, developing new products, and leading teams to success. Certified BRC auditor, inventor of 3 patents in the beverage industry, she has a background in food science and advanced studies in food safety and operational excellence. As the Co-Founder and Co-CEO of Covenance Group, and Owner and President of Charis Food & Beverage Consulting, Jill is recognized as an authority in the industry and serves as a Co-Chair of Juice and Beverage Task Force with FDA and IFSH. Simply put, Jill is a total boss in the world of food and beverage!



Sheila Bowling-Herald

CMO

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Dr. Sheila Lynn Bowling-herald is a chiropractor with over 25 years of experience in Highland Heights, Kentucky. She helps patients with problems of the neuromusculoskeletal system, using spinal adjustments, massage therapy, and other clinical interventions to manage conditions such as back and neck pain. Dr. Bowling-herald's focus is on restoring patients' functional abilities and helping them return to their daily activities, work, and hobbies. She emphasizes patient-centered outcomes and works to empower patients with independence and self-care skills.










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