The Dixie Canner Team

I began working at Dixie as an intern during my senior year at the University of Georgia in August 2014. After graduating Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Arts in English, I joined the family business full time. I’m Chris Stapleton’s daughter and Parrish and Ty Stapleton’s niece. To me Dixie means “longevity.” I am proud that my family has grown this business for so many years, and I’m excited to be part of Dixie’s future with them.

In my spare time, I enjoy running and hiking. I just completed my first half marathon and plan to do more. I also like exploring local breweries.

I officially began my career with Dixie Canner in 1996. I have worked in all facets of Dixie Canner Company over the years and have enjoyed learning about the packaging and processing machinery industry. I’m glad to be part of developing the third generation of Stapleton ownership of Dixie Canner Company.

I am a 1995 graduate of the University of Georgia and a veteran of the United States Marine Corps. Both my education and military background have provided immeasurable knowledge and experience that have guided my tenure at Dixie. I enjoy traveling, cycling, golf, and scuba diving in my free time. I also enjoy long walks with my light silver lab, Cash.

I feel fortunate to be able to work with my two brothers, Chris and Ty. The three of us are committed to nurturing and growing our 120+-year-old manufacturing business. We work hard to constantly improve our equipment quality and our worldwide reputation for dependability with the goal of providing can packaging and processing equipment for the next 120 years!

I have enjoyed the past 42 years as a part of the Dixie Canner Company team. I began working for Dixie Canner Company in 1974 as Bill Stapleton’s Girl Friday. Over the years, I’ve worked with the second generation Stapleton family and now with the third and fourth generations. Parrish, Ty, and Chris are great guys and keep us on our toes. Miranda, Chris’s daughter, brings youth and new technology to our team. We have a great customer base, and each generation has been committed to excellent customer service.

I bleed red and black. I originally moved to Athens when I began my studies at the University of Georgia and just could not leave. I have a daughter and two grandchildren.

In 2013, I joined my brothers, Parrish and Chris, in purchasing Dixie Canner from other family stockholders, and I officially joined the company full time in April 2015. I have an extensive background in sales within the manufacturing, textile, and pharmaceutical industries, and over my career, I’ve won numerous Sales Awards, President’s Club Awards, Salesperson of the Year, and Leadership Awards. I brought this experience to Dixie to focus on sales for the company. I hold a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the Art Institute of Atlanta.

Over the 120 plus years that Dixie Canner has been in business, the people within Dixie have built an incredible reputation for quality. We are very proud of that, and it is important that we maintain the quality of our products as well as integrity in our business practices.

I joined Dixie Canner in 2012, shortly after my brothers and I acquired the company. I take great pride in Dixie Canner’s products and commitment to quality and great customer service. I feel fortunate to work with family in providing these things to our customers. Since joining Dixie Canner I’ve implemented or developed many new processes and methods and look forward to continuing to contribute to the growth of our company.

I am a veteran of the United States Marine Corps, a former home builder, and have enjoyed an interesting and diverse career in law enforcement. I’m a voracious reader and interested in almost everything. I’ve been married to Valerie for 26 years, and we have four wonderful children, Lauren, Miranda, Rachel, and Max. I enjoy many different outdoor activities, and when I’m not working, I can usually be found pursuing these activities with my very active family.

Dixie Canner provides can seamers, retorts, food processing and specialty canning equipment to the food & beverage, industrial, pharmaceutical, ingredients and gourmet & specialty products industries.