Since 1985, Neal Schuman has served as CEO of Schuman Cheese, a fourth-generation family-owned specialty cheese company headquartered in Fairfield, New Jersey.
Schuman Cheese has a passion for quality which is evident by the numerous national and international 1st place awards in hard Italian cheese, soft cheese and alpine cheeses. Schuman is also renowned for their innovations in the entertaining and snack space. In addition to cheese, the Schuman’s are passionate about giving back. The company has been a long-standing supporter of the local food banks across its operating states of NJ, Illinois and Wisconsin, and the Schuman family has actively supported St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation.
Under Neal’s leadership, the company is currently the 17th largest privately held company in New Jersey with 1,300 employees and has grown to over $650 million in revenue. Schuman Cheese is recognized globally as a leading U.S. cheese maker specializing in Italian and mountain cheeses and is also one of the largest importers of fine cheeses from around the world.
Throughout Neal’s 47 years in the business he has helped shape the cheese industry. He served from 1986-88 as the President of the Cheese Importers Association. He was selected by the US Government four times to serve as part of a private sector board that provides technical advice to the Department of Agriculture and the US trade representatives. Neal is also a recipient of the Ordre Du Mérite Agricole, a prestigious award given by the French Government to an individual who has fostered French agriculture trade.
Neal and his wife, Liz, have three children, Allison, Ian and Keith, all three of whom have joined the family business. Allison is the Senior Director of Sales, Ian is the Import Business Manager and Keith is a Risk Management Analyst and an important leader in Schuman’s cheese and dairy consulting business, Optimally.
