Catalina Crunch, a pioneering brand in healthier snacks, announced the latest additions to its leadership team. The company appoints Lauri Luker as the chief operating officer, Jim Duddleston as senior vice president of national accounts and west, and Kristy Vigil as senior vice president of natural channel and east.
In their strategic roles, Luker, Duddleston, and Vigil will be instrumental in steering Catalina Crunch into its next phase of robust growth, strategically expanding the brand's retail presence. This announcement not only underscores the brand's dedication to meeting the soaring demand for its products but also highlights Catalina Crunch's ongoing commitment to fortifying and expanding its executive team.
"We are thrilled to welcome Lauri, Jim, and Kristy to the Catalina Crunch family,” Krishna Kaliannan, Catalina Crunch's founder, said in the announcement. “Their extensive experience and proven track records in sales and operations will be invaluable as we continue to innovate and expand our reach in the health snack market.”
Doug Behrens, Catalina Crunch's CEO, added: “The appointment of Lauri, Jim, and Kristy comes at a pivotal moment for Catalina Crunch as we witness unprecedented demand for our products. Their collective expertise will be instrumental in driving our growth strategy forward and ensuring Catalina Crunch maintains its position as a leader within the industry.”
Luker, with a noteworthy background, joins the company after holding senior positions at WhiteWave Foods, Amplify Snack Brands, and most recently, Kellanova, where she executed the U.S, commercial strategy for Eggo and Morning Star Farms.
Duddleston, adding his strategic prowess, comes to the team after holding VP sales roles at Starbucks, Amplify Snack Brands, and most recently serving as SVP at Kind.
Vigil, known for her dynamic leadership, previously served as SVP of sales at Kind and most recently as SVP of retail sales at ByHeart, a fully integrated baby nutrition company.
Luker, Duddleston, and Vigil will focus on building operational capability and deeper customer engagement to expand Catalina's brand presence. This strategic transition positions the company to concentrate on achieving exponential growth throughout the coming year.
"We extend our heartfelt gratitude to AJ Mergele, VP of sales, for his significant contributions to Catalina's growth over the past two years. AJ has decided to embark on a new professional journey and we wish him the very best in his future endeavors," Behrens added in the announcement.
The announcement comes on the heels of the recent introduction of Catalina Crunch's latest product, the Peanut Butter Dark Chocolate Cookie Bars, and the partnership with NBA player Jalen Brunson.
