family

---

 FIRST GENERATION — JOSEF ONDRUSEK 

Columbia Packing’s story began in 1913, when Josef Ondrusek opened Columbia Meat Market and Sausage Factory near downtown Dallas. He chose the name “Columbia” to represent new beginnings. When Josef found that he could not always source the quality of livestock he wanted for his customers, he took greater control of the process. In 1932, he purchased a meat packing company in the Oak Cliff area of Dallas, establishing the location where four generations of the family would help build Columbia Packing.

SECOND GENERATION — W.J. “WILLIE” ONDRUSEK 

The second generation continued with Josef’s son, W.J. “Willie” Ondrusek. Building on his father’s foundation, Willie worked alongside Josef as the family business grew and established its place in the Texas meat industry.

THIRD GENERATION — BOB & JOE ONDRUSEK 

The third generation brought Bob and Joe Ondrusek into the business. Bob became involved in both meat processing and livestock and carried his commitment to agriculture into the community, serving on the State Fair of Texas Junior Livestock Committee and the Kaufman County Junior Livestock Board. Together, Bob and Joe helped lead a period of significant growth for Columbia, including expansion into a 70,000-square-foot food distribution and slaughter facility. Joe later served as president of the company until 2018.

FOURTH GENERATION — CARL & AMBER ONDRUSEK 

 The fourth generation continued with Joe’s children, Carl and Amber Ondrusek. Under their leadership, Columbia expanded its operations, including the addition of its further-processing facility in Ennis, Texas. Today, Amber, the company’s first female president, and her brother Carl continue to own and operate the family business, overseeing operations across three Texas locations. Their leadership carries forward the vision Josef established in 1913: maintaining control over the quality of Columbia’s products at every stage of the process. From harvesting in East Texas to further processing in Ennis and distribution from Dallas, the family continues to build upon that foundation as Columbia enters its fifth generation.

FIFTH GENERATION — 2026 

In 2026, the fifth generation entered the family business, continuing a legacy that began more than a century ago. Today, Columbia remains family owned and continues the tradition of meat processing, manufacturing and distribution established in Dallas in 1913.