People Moves: Mary’s Gone Crackers Enters ‘New Leadership Era’; Munk Pack Taps Clif Bar Veteran
Mary’s Gone Crackers Ushers in ‘New Leadership Era’
Gluten-free cracker and “Kookie” brand Mary’s Gone Crackers has entered what it is calling a ‘new leadership era’ by bringing on Michael Finete as its new CEO and Nate Lindsey as VP of operations. Former CEO Taki Fujii will remain chairman of the board.
Boasting more than 30 years of industry experience, Finete previously held leadership roles at General Mills, HJ Heinz, Sensient Natural Ingredients, SubHerb Farms and Santo Amaro Foods. With him at the helm, Mary’s Gone Crackers is seeking to bolster its product innovation pipeline.
“Finete embodies dynamism, unwavering value and a rich history of experiences, complemented by an outstanding track record of success,” said Fujii in a press release. “We are confident that [he] will become an indispensable member of our team as demand grows for consumers across the globe.
Meanwhile, Lindsey has accumulated 25 years of experience in plant manufacturing and operations, most recently working at California-based industrial tree nut supplier and processor Ready Roast Company. He will replace Wayne McKay, who served as VP of operations for just over two years.
Lindsey will provide support in warehouse management and operations including inventory management, shipping, receiving and quality control.
“I was drawn to [the company’s] mission to foster enduring connections between people and nutritious snacks in an innovative and sustainable way,” said Lindsey in the release. “I look forward to making these high-quality products available to more consumers nationwide and across Canada.”
According to a report by market researcher Grand View Research, the gluten-free bakery market size was valued at $1.64 billion in 2021 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 10.8% between 2022 and 2030.
Munk Pack Taps Former Clif Bar VP of Sales
Brent Gravlee, who most recently served as VP of sales for national accounts at CLIF Bar & Company, has joined snack brand Munk Pack as its new chief commercial officer, effective September 5.
“I’m inspired by the delicious food, compelling stories and thriving business you have created and can’t wait to get started,” he wrote on LinkedIn.
In his 16 years at Clif Bar, Gravlee’s leadership roles spanned management, sales strategy and sales leadership. According to a press release, he helped grow the brand to a $1 billion business while building and sustaining strategic relationships with retailers across all domestic channels.
In June 2022, food conglomerate Mondelēz International agreed to pay $2.9 billion, with additional contingent earn out consideration, to acquire Clif Bar. For Mondelēz, the deal reflects the company’s intent to grow its range of snack and bar business through M&A, having added refrigerated bar Perfect Snacks in 2019 and better-for-you chocolate and cracker brand Hu in 2021.
“An exciting addition to our growing team, [Gravlee] will leverage his 22 years of experience across account management, sales strategy and team leadership to drive our mission and growth goals,” the Munk Pack wrote in a LinkedIn post.
The news comes after the Greenwich, Connecticut-based brand last year closed a $5 million funding round led by an undisclosed investor. The new capital is being invested in distribution growth, Munk Pack previously told NOSH, as well as expansion of its team and “continued innovation” in the bar category.
Munk Pack’s products are currently available in more than 19,000 points of distribution nationwide, including Sprouts, Kroger and Meijer.
The Fresh Market Bumps Up Giorgio Bianchetti Gonzalez to Chief Merchandising Officer
The Fresh Market has unveiled its new succession plan, in which chief merchandising officer Dan Portnoy will retire at the end of the month, with Giorgio Bianchetti Gonzelz, current VP of merchandising integration, U.S. and Latin America, taking over the top spot.
Last year, South American retailer Cencosud acquired a majority stake in the North Carolina-based natural grocery chain in a $676 million transaction aimed at expanding its business into the U.S. The news came less than a year after The Fresh Market filed for an IPO for the second time in its 40-year history, only to reportedly file to delay the offering due to market volatility resulting from the war in Ukraine.
Cencosud now owns 67% of The Fresh Market, which is valued at almost $1.6 billion in a combination of primary and secondary equity.
Gonzalez has been heading the Censosud S.A./The Fresh Market integration team for the past nine months. Previously, he served as chief merchandising officer for 12 years at Cencosude in Chile and has been with the company for 23 years in various roles.
Guud Muesli Brings on Rick O’Neil as COO
Functional muesli brand Guud has brought on former Bettera Brands general manager Rick O’Neil as its new COO, the company announced in a LinkedIn post last week.
O’Neil has a track record in senior-level executive leadership in the CPG and Nutraceutical industries, having previously served as CEO of contract manufacturer Nutravail from 2006 to 2020 and as general manager of Bettera Brands, a portfolio company of private investment firm Highlander Partners, from 2020 to 2021.
“His versatile skill set encompasses strategic planning and implementation, financial management, legal and regulatory compliance and cross-functional leadership, read the LinkedIn post. “[O’Neil’s] experience in risk management, mergers and acquisitions and organizational restructuring position GUUD for continued evolution and success.”
Earlier this year, the muesli brand landed its Brain Fuel, Athlete Fuel and Gut Fuel functional cereal products in Meijer. The functional oat blends feature ingredients like Goji berries, flax seed, cacao nibs, dates and sunflower seeds and are available for $6.99 per 12 oz. pouch.
