USA- Freshpet, Inc. one of the largest pet food companies in the US by revenue, recently announced the appointment of David J. West to its board of directors as part of its board’s refreshment strategy.
According to the company’s announcement, West will also serve on the board’s Audit Committee.
West has more than 30 years of experience in consumer products and pet food leading a range of blue-chip consumer companies and well-known brands.
He currently serves as a partner at Centerview Capital Consumer and is a board member of Advantage Solutions Inc. and Simply Good Foods.
Before joining Freshpet, West served as chief executive officer of Big Heart Pet Brands, during which he led the company’s increased focus on growth and innovation, launching new products and enhancing its focus on specialty pet distribution channels.
Additionally, he also oversaw Big Heart Pet Brands’ rebrand and its eventual sale to The J.M. Smucker Company.
West also held various leadership roles at The Hershey Company including chief executive officer, president, director, chief operating officer, chief financial officer, chief customer officer, and other positions.
“Dave is a highly regarded industry veteran with a track record of driving growth at the helm of pet food and consumer goods companies,” said Walt George, chair of Freshpet’s board.
Walt George, who was appointed board chair in May this year, expressed appreciation for West and hope that his expertise would support Freshpet’s continued growth and create value for its shareholders.
“We are thrilled to welcome him to the board. As Freshpet continues to build on its strong brand loyalty and growth momentum, Dave will bring valuable operating and financial insights and perspective drawn from a successful career as CEO, CFO, and director at leading public companies in our industry.”
West will stand for election as a Class III director at Freshpet’s 2023 annual meeting of shareholders. He succeeds Charles Norris, who is retiring from the Board immediately and not standing for election in accordance with the Company’s mandatory retirement policy.
“As a long-time admirer of Freshpet, I am honored to join the company’s board of directors. I look forward to contributing my operating and financial expertise in pure play pet food and treats to the board as Freshpet executes its strategy to drive profitability and deliver long-term, sustainable value to its shareholders,” West said.
This announcement continues the Board’s refreshment process, which also included the recent appointment of former Conagra executive David Biegger to the Board this past May.
Announced in 2020, this governance transformation has included implementing a staged declassification of the Board and the elimination of all supermajority voting provisions, significant refreshment of the Board’s composition, diversity, and expertise, and other notable governance enhancements commensurate with Freshpet’s continued growth and expansion.
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