People Moves: ALDI Names U.S. CEO; Thrive Market Taps COO

ALDI’s Exec Team Shifts

Discount grocery store chain ALDI U.S. has promoted CEO Jason Hart to Group COO of ALDI South, effective September 1. In his new role, Hart will oversee the company’s global operations in Salzburg, Austria, for a minimum of three years before returning to ALDI U.S.

During his decade as CEO, Hart helped the brand nearly double its presence in the U.S. from 1,300 stores in 32 states to 2,500 locations across 39 states. ALDI claims to be the fastest-growing grocer in America.

“It has been an honor to be a part of the ALDI U.S. Team during the past decades of incredible growth and development of the ALDI brand across the U.S. I have no doubt ALDI success in the U.S. will continue and accelerate due to the hard work and dedication of our teams across the business,” said Hart in a LinkedIn post. “I look forward to collaborating with the teams across the global business, including ALDI U.S. to drive our success.”

As part of the transition, Atty McGrath, COO of ALDI U.S., has been promoted to CEO. She has spent her entire 20-year career at ALDI, holding a variety of leadership roles ranging from district manager to director of operations to division vice president.

“I’ve seen firsthand the incredible team we have at ALDI, and I am eager to build upon the momentum we’ve created together. Together, we will focus on driving innovation, expanding our reach, and delivering exceptional value to our customers,” said McGrath in a LinkedIn post.

As part of its “aggressive” retail growth strategy, ALDI U.S. plans to open 800 new stores over the next five years, including a target of over 225 locations in 2025. The retail chain has already opened 55 stores this year, with 75 more locations set to open this summer in key markets including Arizona, California, Florida and South Carolina and established markets like the Midwest and Northeast.

Thrive Market Names First COO

Membership-based ecommerce retailer Thrive Market has tapped Scott Lescher as its first-ever COO. Lescher comes to the company with over 15 years of experience at Amazon, where he most recently led the Surface Transportation Support and Fleet.

“My start with the company has been a whirlwind – in the best way. I’ve visited our fulfillment centers, joined ride-alongs with our last-mile delivery team, sat down for roundtables with Thrivers, participated in 1:1s and deep dives into our operations and connected with colleagues across the organization,” said Lescher in a LinkedIn post.

He continued, “I’m proud to be part of a company committed to making healthy, sustainable living easy and affordable for everyone – and I’m looking forward to contributing to that mission.”

Fishwife Founder Joins Firehook Board

Fishwife co-founder and CEO Becca Millstein is joining the board of directors of specialty cracker brand Firehook. The move comes a little over a year after private equity firm Forward Consumer Partners acquired the company. In her new role, Millstein will help shape the brand’s marketing and innovation strategies.

“It has been inspiring to watch Becca build Fishwife over the past few years,” said Matt Leeds, managing partner at Forward Consumer Partners and chairman of Firehook, in a statement. “We admire her ability to bring vibrancy to a well-established category, and we feel that Becca’s ability to connect brands into culture can be incredibly impactful as we continue building Firehook in the coming years.”

Millstein added, “Firehook’s decades-long commitment to the highest-possible quality resonates deeply with me.”

Horizon Organic Names COO

Horizon Organic has tapped Patricia Stroup as chief operating officer. Prior to joining the team, she held leadership positions at various dairy industry organizations including Hilmar Cheese Company and Maryland & Virginia Milk Producers Cooperative Association. Her career includes more than 18 years with Nestle, most recently as global senior vice president and chief procurement officer. She also served as chair of the International Dairy Foods Association board of directors.

In her new role, she will lead day-to-day business operations and partner with teams to strengthen supply chains and optimize performance.

“Her vast experience will lend itself to improving our brands, accelerating our progress, expanding high-impact teams and strengthening our culture,” said Tyler Holm, CEO of Horizon Organic, in a statement.

Mast Moves On From Informa

Carlotta Mast has stepped away from Informa Markets after a 17-year tenure, she announced in a LinkedIn post last week. She began her career there in editorial leadership roles for Nutrition Business Journal and Natural Foods Merchandiser prior to becoming executive director of Content and Insights for New Hope Network and, later, SVP and market leader. Last year she transitioned to her most recent position of SVP of Global Community and Content Strategy for New Hope Network parent company Informa Markets, with responsibilities including developing new community-focused event models and implementing strategies to support customers in achieving sustainability goals.

Her next moves include co-authoring a book on conscious business with Eric Schnell and Marci Zaroff, co-chairing the Conscious Business Working Group and serving on the boards of Naturally Colorado and the Boulder Chamber.

“And I’m actively exploring new ways to partner with values-aligned leaders and organizations building a regenerative, equitable and more conscious future,” Mast added. “The rest is still unfolding, and I’m staying open to what’s most needed—especially now, when so many of us are feeling disconnected from ourselves, one another and nature.”

Not Just Co. Co-Founder Joins Chefs Life

Jacqueline Grady Smith has joined Chefs Life, the company founded by celebrity chef and restaurateur Brian Malarkey, as director of operations and finance. The move marks Grady Smith’s next chapter after recently shutting down the modern pantry staple brand she co-founded, not just co.

“I am delighted to join the team at Chefs Life. [The brand] is leveling up home cooking with the best quality cooking oils – and a pipeline of innovation that I am incredibly excited about,” said Grady Smith in a LinkedIn post.

Founded in 2020, Chefs Life seeks to educate consumers by explaining how to use its oils for specific parts of the cooking process – cooking, blending and finishing – right on the front label. Last year, the brand introduced a new line of squeeze bottles to its portfolio while expanding its national distribution footprint. Most recently, Chefs Life introduced a new Salt + Pepper combo seasoning blend.