Snack-maker Utz Brands Inc. announced changes to its executive management team, reflecting its ongoing process of evaluating capabilities needed to better position Utz for its next phase of growth, according to an announcement released this week.
Cary Devore has been appointed executive vice president and chief operating officer, a new position within Utz, effective Oct. 4. Devore is currently the company’s chief financial officer and will continue to report to Utz chief executive Dylan Lissette.
Ajay Kataria has been appointed executive vice president and chief financial officer, effective Oct. 4. Kataria is currently the executive vice president of finance and accounting and will report to Lissette. He is a global consumer goods finance leader with more than 20 years of experience.
Jim Sponaugle has been appointed executive vice president and chief people officer, effective Oct. 4. Sponaugle is currently senior vice president of human resources and will continue to report to Lissette in his new role.
Todd Staub, executive vice president and chief administrative officer, is planning to retire, effective Jan. 3. Staub helped the company grow from $100 million in sales to more than $1 billion today.
Utz snack foods can be found in vending machines and micro markets.
“As we evolve as a public company, we will continue to enhance Utz’s leadership team to accelerate our ability to grow and strengthen our organization,” Lissette said. “Our collective goal is to create long-term value for our stakeholders, and we are uniquely positioned to capitalize on growth opportunities for our Power Brands while also enhancing profitability through our value creation initiatives.
"We believe today’s announcements provide the company with the optimal organizational structure to execute against our strategy," he continued, "and will best position Utz to deliver on its commitment to be the fastest-growing, pure-play branded salty snack company of scale in the U.S.”
