People Moves: KeHE Shares CEO Succession Plan, Impossible Hires Head of Demand, Jennifer Jorgensen Heads Newly-Acquired Back to Nature

KeHE Distributors Announces CEO Succession Plan

KeHE Distributors last week unveiled its management succession plan, in which current CEO and 15-year company veteran Brandon Barnholt will transition to executive chairman of the board, effective April 1, with current board member Deb Conklin taking over the top executive role.

Since taking over as KeHE’s chief executive in 2007, Barnholt has helped lead the company “through an extraordinary time of growth,” according to a press release. Under his tenure the company expanded from a Midwest specialty operation to the largest pure-play distributor of specialty, natural, organic and fresh products in North America through the acquisition of Tree of Life in 2009, Nature’s Best in 2014 and Monterrey Provisions in 2016.

“Deb is a perfect cultural fit and is uniquely qualified with a solid combination of strong distribution and commercial experience in the food retail sector,” said Barnholt in a company press release. “She is a seasoned, talented executive with deep experience in the capital markets and a keen strategic mind.”

Founded in 1953, the Illinois-based company has grown to distribute products to more than 30,000 natural food stores, chain and independent grocery stores, e-commerce retailers and other specialty retailers throughout North America.

Prior to being appointed CEO, Conklin served as a board member for KeHE’s employee-owned enterprise. Concurrently, she was the president and CEO of packaged ice manufacturer and distributor Reddy Ice.

“I want to thank the whole Reddy Ice team for being incredibly supportive, and I look forward to this amazing opportunity to serve the marketplace through the KeHE platform,” said Conklin in the release. “KeHE is an important distribution and supply chain partner throughout the retail food sector, and I look forward to helping all parties grow and succeed.”

Impossible Hires Chief Growth Officer, Looks to Grow Consumer Awareness

Impossible Foods is aiming to increase consumer awareness with the addition of Sherene Jagla as the company’s first chief demand officer.

“One of the reasons I was drawn to Impossible is the company’s focus on leading the category and commitment to creating delicious, nutritious, and sustainable food,” said Jagla in a company press release. “Impossible has created a compelling brand with a strong product portfolio that’s primed for growth. I look forward to working closely with Peter and the Impossible team to build on this foundation.”

Founded in 2011, Impossible Foods produces a portfolio of plant-based meat substitute products. Over the past year, the company has launched several new products including Sausage Links, Wild Nuggies and Chicken Patties.

Most recently, Jagla served as the senior vice president and general manager at Newell Brands, where she was responsible for a $2 billion business across 50 brands in 18 categories. Prior to her time at Newell, she led sales at Kellogg’s.

Jagla’s hire comes on the heels of several other executive appointments in the past several months as Impossible Foods looks to “increase consumer awareness and trial in 2023.” In November, the company announced Leslie Sims as its first chief marketing and creative officer and Noel Clarke as its senior vice president of international. Impossible president and CEO Peter McGuinness formerly held the same role Chobani, spearheading the concept of a more fully integrated marketing and sales structure.

Barilla Names Jennifer Jorgensen as President and CEO of Newly-Acquired Back to Nature

On the heels of its recent acquisition of Back to Nature, Barilla America has named Jennifer Jorgensen as the brand’s new CEO and president.

In December, Back to Nature traded hands with BA Brussels, LLC, a subsidiary of Barilla America, acquiring the snack brand as part of a larger strategy to diversify its U.S. portfolio. Terms of the transaction, which is slated to close in the first quarter of this year, were not disclosed.

“I am thrilled to be working with Barilla, a family-owned Italian company with strong ‘good food’ values. Like all Italians, they truly celebrate food and the joy it brings to the world, something we all need more of these days. Together with Barilla, I’ll be leading Back to Nature’s growth in the U.S. market with their delicious natural cookies, crackers, nuts and more,” said Jorgensen in a LinkedIn post.

Jorgensen brings with her more than 25 years of experience at General Mills. Most recently, she served as vice president and general manager of the company’s cereal division. Before that, she served as vice president and global chief marketing officer for Haagen Dazs.

“Her leadership in this acquisition is part of our long-term ambition to build a strong multi-brand bakery platform in the United States, where we are already market leader in the crispbread category with Wasa,” Barilla said in a LinkedIn post.

Perfect Snacks Welcomes New CEO, CFO

San Diego-based better-for-you snacks maker Perfect Snacks is growing its executive team with the appointment of Cara Liebrock and Sarah Van Houten as CEO and CFO, respectively. Leibrock was most recently a managing director at Mondelēz, where she worked for the last 8 years.

“With over 40 years of combined experience, Cara and Sarah have respectively been at the helm of some of our favorite household brands, and we’re honored to have them join the Perfect Snacks family,” the company wrote in a LinkedIn post.

Van Houten assumes the role from co-founder Leigh Keith, who will now hold the role of chief of brand and mission. The appointment of Van Houten marks the first time a member of the Keith family will not be CEO of Perfect Snacks, which was acquired by Mondelēz in 2019.

Weee! Appoints New Chief Merchandising Officer

John Burry was announced as the new chief merchandising officer for ethnic e-commerce grocer Weee! Founded in 2015 and headquartered in Fremont, California, the grocer allows consumers to shop for more than 15,000 shelf-stable items across cuisines including Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Vietnamese, Filipino and Mexican.

Prior to joining the e-commerce grocer, Burry spent over 20 years at Tesco PLC, where he held a number of roles across merchandising, marketing and general management.

“I’m excited to be joining Weee! at such an important time,” he said in a press release. “Larry and the team have built a very special business with a uniquely differentiated product assortment. I’m looking forward to working with the team here and all of our vendors to unleash our full potential.”