Waukegan, Ill.-based vanilla and flavor firm Nielsen-Massey has a new leader.
Nielsen-Massey’s board of directors named Kirk Trofholz as ceo March 9. He joins the company from Dawn Food Products, where he was president of the company’s U.S. bakery products division. Prior to that post, he served as president and ceo of Barilla North America. Trofholz began his career at Procter & Gamble, where he spent more than two decades.
"I'm pleased to have the opportunity to lead Nielsen-Massey," Trofholz says. "We see tremendous prospects to leverage the exceptional Nielsen-Massey brand and reputation as one of the world's leading manufacturers of fine quality vanilla products and flavor extracts to advance our global growth strategy."
The selection of ceo from outside the company is consistent with the Nielsen family's strategy to accelerate the company's growth and sustainability, while also maintaining its legacy as a 110-year-old, family-owned business. Concurrent with the announcement of a new ceo, Nielsen family members within the company will continue in their leadership roles, including:
- Craig Nielsen will be heading up sustainability initiatives.
- Matt Nielsen will lead operations.
- Beth Nielsen will lead research and development and chef relations.
Shep Pryor, chairman of Nielsen-Massey’s board, says the board and the company’s leadership team are pleased to have someone with Trofholz’ “deep food industry experience” join the company.
“Kirk's extensive career experience encompassing both large public companies such as P&G, as well as successful family companies such as Barilla and Dawn Foods Products, makes him the ideal ceo for Nielsen-Massey as we pursue the next phase of growth," he says.
