Alter Eco Appoints New Vice President of Sales, Vice President of Marketing
SAN FRANCISCO– Alter Eco, a sustainability-directed chocolate company, has announced the appointment of two new vice presidents to its executive team: Alex Schildmeyer as vice president of sales and Pilar Ochi as vice president of marketing. With over 13 years of demonstrated leadership in the consumer packaged goods industry, Schildmeyer brings expertise in planning and executing sales strategies, cross-channel sales growth and team management to his role overseeing sales at Alter Eco. Ochi, with expertise in product innovation, brand strategy, marketing and sales execution, and general management, brings over 11 years of experience in growing emerging and established brands to her position leading Alter Eco’s marketing team.
“As Alter Eco continues to grow and innovate, we’ve been looking for leaders who can take our brand to the next level and who support our commitment to sustainability and environmental responsibility,” said Mike Forbes, CEO of Alter Eco. “Alex and Pilar both have tremendous experience catalyzing brand growth and a passion for the space that is a perfect culture fit for our team. We’re thrilled to welcome them and begin an exciting new evolution for Alter Eco.”
Prior to joining Alter Eco, Schildmeyer served as the senior vice president of sales at Primal Kitchen, where he led sales efforts to grow the brand 130 percent in 2018 and managed sales planning and execution across key strategic channels. Prior to Primal Kitchen, Schildmeyer worked in a variety of sales and finance roles at Annie’s and General Mills.
Before joining Alter Eco, Ochi served as head of consumer packaged goods for Blue Bottle Coffee, where she drove product innovation, translated the iconic cafe brand to new channels and oversaw a marketing and sales practice that broadened Blue Bottle’s business in grocery, mass, club, ecommerce and foodservice channels. Ochi also held brand management and sales positions at Clorox and Visa before her time at Blue Bottle.
In addition to Schildmeyer and Ochi’s new roles, Alter Eco has promoted Antoine Ambert, previously director of marketing, to senior director of innovation and sustainability. A key, longtime pillar of Alter Eco’s marketing and innovation team with background in developing and launching new products, brand management and developing and implementing core marketing strategies, Ambert was instrumental in the development of Alter Eco’s compostable truffle wrapper and Gone4Good quinoa pouches. Ambert will pivot into a new role focused primarily on innovation and sustainability, which will include launching the Alter Eco Foundation in 2020.
2019 has been a strong year for Alter Eco, which expanded its retail presence into Walmart.com and new foodservice channels, including LinkedIn, Google, Uber and Good Eggs. Alter Eco also expanded its wildly popular, best-selling Superdark Collection in the spring with Superdark Truffles, Superdark Crisp Mint and Double Chocolate Coconut Clusters.
To learn more about Alter Eco, its sustainability initiatives and portfolio of next level indulgences, please visit www.alterecofoods.com.
About Alter Eco
Alter Eco is a chocolate-centric, sustainability-directed chocolate company that creates next level indulgences using whole ingredients with no compromises. All Alter Eco products are USDA Certified Organic, Fair Trade Certified, Carbon Neutral Certified and Certified Gluten-Free (excluding Deep Dark Salt & Malt). Recognized as a top certified Benefit Corporation and one of the first registered Public Benefit Corporations, Alter Eco is dedicated to full-circle sustainability throughout its operations and supply chain through four pillars: sourcing using Fair Trade principles, producing of only organic and non-GMO foods, creating minimal waste by working towards 100 percent compostable packaging, and in-setting carbon emissions by means of large-scale reforestation programs in the cooperatives that produce its crops. These principals are entwined with Alter Eco’s commitment to the highest quality ingredients and taste in all of its products. More information is available at www.alterecofoods.com. Follow Alter Eco via Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Instagram.
