President & Chief Executive Officer
Robert D. Judson was born in Houston, Texas. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Texas in 1972 and holds a Master’s Degree in Engineering Science from the University of Arkansas. Robert is a registered Professional Engineer by examination.
Robert has in excess of 40 years of food processing experience with USDA, FDA, and AIB design, facility construction and plant operations. He has a reputation for providing strategic planning and system process improvements to his clients. He has a reputation for leadership, team-building, continuous improvement methods, and results through employee and customer involvement. He was Project Manager for a project that received recognition as "US Food Plant of the Year in 1998" and his "fast/track" fire rebuild of Pretzel Inc.’s Facility obtained International recognition. He has provided service to international customers in the Middle East, Mexico, and Japan.
Robert is a founding partner, President and CEO of Emergent Construction Technologies, LP. Prior to starting Emergent, Judson was a corporate Engineering Manager for Frito-Lay, Director of Engineering and VP Manufacturing with Sara Lee Meat Group, VP Operations for Webber Smith and Shambaugh and Son Engineering, and Executive VP Food Processing for CMT, Inc. Robert is also founder of Hammerhead Marketing Group and inventor of the “rifled” Hammerhead paintball barrel.
Robert has significant experience in master planning, design, construction, and operational experience with: slaughter and/or processing of pork, beef, chicken and turkey, bakery and pork patty, smoked bacon, stuffed hams, water-cooked and smoked hams, soups and gravies, Mexican food entrees, corn and flour tortilla production, all types of snack foods, bagels, coffee manufacturing, pizza toppings, and various types of confectionery products. His experience includes all aspects of projects from concept design through the start-up of operations. He has won State EPA Environmental awards for most improved waste treatment operations for one of his clients and has recently designed and constructed oil recovery for bio-diesel systems.
Robert has published "Benefits to a Food Owner in Partnering" in Foods Engineering, and published articles in Bakery Equipment Manufacturing, Baking and Snacks and Food Plant Engineering. His awards include a "Presidential Commendation" for the Design of the Frankfort, Indiana Advanced Wastewater Treatment System and "Plant of the Year" for the “Wyandot Snack Food Fire Rebuild”, second runner-up for the Bakersfield Snack-food facility. He presented "Designing a Bakery for Sanitation and Utility Efficiency" at the 1995 Bakery Equipment Manufacturing Convention.
Judson is married and has five children, is a member of Bent Tree Bible Church, completed multiple "Top Gun" training courses, coached soccer, football, baseball, and was President of Youth League Wrestling and Little League. He is a member of Delta Kappa Chapter of "Alpha Tau Omega".