Terry Leprino

Early Life

Terry Leprino was born in Denver, Colorado, into a family with a deep connection to the food industry. Her grandfather, Mike Leprino Sr., an Italian immigrant, founded a grocery store in Denver, Colorado, in 1950. This marked the beginning of what would become the world's largest mozzarella cheese producer, Leprino Foods. Growing up in this environment instilled in Terry a strong work ethic and an understanding of the business world.

Rise to Success

Terry Leprino's career took a significant turn when she spent a decade as the Marketing Director at Leprino Foods. During this time, she played a crucial role in supporting a national sales force, contributing to the company's growth and market dominance. After the death of her father, James Leprino, in June 2025, Terry and her sister, Gina Vecchiarelli, inherited a combined 90% stake in Leprino Foods.

Key Business Strategies

Although not directly involved in day-to-day operations, Terry's involvement in the Leprino Foods Foundation demonstrates a commitment to the company's values. The company's success is built on pioneering the technology for manufacturing pizza cheese at scale. This innovation allowed Leprino Foods to become the exclusive supplier of cheese to major pizza chains like Domino's, Pizza Hut, and Papa John's, controlling up to 85% of the U.S. pizza cheese market.

Philanthropy

Terry Leprino is actively involved in philanthropic efforts through the Leprino Foods Foundation. The foundation supports various communities across the United States. Terry is also a trustee at Colorado Christian University. She has served on the board of directors for several organizations, including the Issachar Urban Leadership Center and Young Life US Advisory Board.