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Central Garden & Pet Appoints Niko Lahanas as CEO and Brad Smith as CFO

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Central Garden & Pet Company (NASDAQ: CENT, CENTA) has announced key leadership changes effective September 29, 2024. Niko Lahanas, former CFO, has been appointed as the new Chief Executive Officer and will join the Board of Directors. Brad Smith, previously CFO of the Pet segment, will succeed Lahanas as the new Chief Financial Officer.

Lahanas, with nearly 18 years of experience at Central, replaces Beth Springer, who served as Interim CEO since October 2023. Springer will return to her role as Lead Independent Director. The company's founder and Chairman, Bill Brown, expressed confidence in Lahanas' ability to lead Central into its next growth phase, citing his instrumental role in setting strategic direction and driving performance as CFO since May 2017.

Central Garden & Pet Company (NASDAQ: CENT, CENTA) ha annunciato cambiamenti chiave nella leadership a partire dal 29 settembre 2024. Niko Lahanas, ex CFO, è stato nominato nuovo Amministratore Delegato e entrerà a far parte del Consiglio di Amministrazione. Brad Smith, precedentemente CFO del segmento Pet, succederà a Lahanas come nuovo Direttore Finanziario.

Lahanas, con quasi 18 anni di esperienza in Central, sostituisce Beth Springer, che ha ricoperto il ruolo di CEO ad interim da ottobre 2023. Springer tornerà al suo ruolo di Lead Independent Director. Il fondatore e presidente dell'azienda, Bill Brown, ha espresso fiducia nelle capacità di Lahanas di guidare Central nella sua prossima fase di crescita, citando il suo ruolo fondamentale nel definire la direzione strategica e nel migliorare le performance come CFO dal maggio 2017.

Central Garden & Pet Company (NASDAQ: CENT, CENTA) ha anunciado cambios clave en el liderazgo a partir del 29 de septiembre de 2024. Niko Lahanas, ex CFO, ha sido nombrado nuevo Director Ejecutivo y se unirá a la Junta Directiva. Brad Smith, anteriormente CFO del segmento de mascotas, sucederá a Lahanas como el nuevo Director Financiero.

Lahanas, con casi 18 años de experiencia en Central, reemplaza a Beth Springer, quien ha desempeñado el cargo de CEO interina desde octubre de 2023. Springer regresará a su papel como Directora Independiente Principal. El fundador y presidente de la empresa, Bill Brown, expresó su confianza en la capacidad de Lahanas para liderar a Central hacia su próxima fase de crecimiento, citando su rol instrumental en establecer la dirección estratégica y en impulsar el desempeño como CFO desde mayo de 2017.

센트럴 가든 & 펫 컴퍼니(NASDAQ: CENT, CENTA)는 2024년 9월 29일부터 적용되는 주요 리더십 변화를 발표했습니다. 니코 라하나스, 전 CFO가 새로운 CEO로 임명되었으며 이사회에도 합류하게 됩니다. 브래드 스미스, 이전에 펫 부문의 CFO였던 그는 라하나스를 이어 새로운 재무이사로 임명됩니다.

라하나스는 센트럴에서 거의 18년의 경험을 가지고 있으며, 2023년 10월부터 임시 CEO로 재직해온 베스 스프링거를 대체합니다. 스프링거는 사외이사로서의 역할로 복귀할 것입니다. 회사의 설립자이자 회장인 빌 브라운은 라하나스가 다음 성장 단계로 센트럴을 이끌 능력이 있다고 확신을 표명하며, 2017년 5월부터 CFO로 재직하며 전략적 방향을 설정하고 성과를 이끌어낸 그의 중추적 역할을 강조했습니다.

Central Garden & Pet Company (NASDAQ: CENT, CENTA) a annoncé des changements clés dans sa direction, prenant effet le 29 septembre 2024. Niko Lahanas, ancien CFO, a été nommé nouveau Directeur Général et rejoindra le Conseil d'Administration. Brad Smith, anciennement CFO du segment animal de compagnie, succédera à Lahanas en tant que nouveau Directeur Financier.

Lahanas, avec près de 18 ans d'expérience chez Central, remplace Beth Springer, qui a été CEO par intérim depuis octobre 2023. Springer retournera à son rôle de Directrice Indépendante Principale. Le fondateur et président de l'entreprise, Bill Brown, a exprimé sa confiance dans la capacité de Lahanas à diriger Central vers sa prochaine phase de croissance, soulignant son rôle essentiel dans l'établissement de la direction stratégique et l'amélioration des performances en tant que CFO depuis mai 2017.

Central Garden & Pet Company (NASDAQ: CENT, CENTA) hat wesentliche Führungsänderungen bekannt gegeben, die ab dem 29. September 2024 wirksam werden. Niko Lahanas, ehemaliger CFO, wurde zum neuen Chief Executive Officer ernannt und wird dem Vorstand beitreten. Brad Smith, zuvor CFO des Haustiersegments, wird Lahanas als neuen Chief Financial Officer nachfolgen.

Lahanas, der fast 18 Jahre Erfahrung bei Central hat, ersetzt Beth Springer, die seit Oktober 2023 als Interims-CEO fungierte. Springer wird zu ihrer Rolle als Lead Independent Director zurückkehren. Der Gründer und Vorsitzende des Unternehmens, Bill Brown, äußerte Vertrauen in Lahanas' Fähigkeit, Central in die nächste Wachstumsphase zu führen, und hob dabei seine entscheidende Rolle bei der Festlegung der Strategie und der Steigerung der Leistung als CFO seit Mai 2017 hervor.

Positive
  • Appointment of experienced internal candidate Niko Lahanas as CEO, bringing 18 years of company knowledge
  • Smooth leadership transition with Brad Smith, former Pet segment CFO, taking over as company CFO
  • Continuity in leadership with Beth Springer returning to Lead Independent Director role
Negative
  • None.

Niko Lahanas, Former Central CFO, Brings 18 Years of Experience at the Company

Brad Smith, Former CFO, Pet Segment, Appointed Central CFO

Interim CEO and Director Beth Springer to Return to Role of Lead Independent Director

WALNUT CREEK, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Central Garden & Pet Company (NASDAQ: CENT), (NASDAQ: CENTA), (“Central” or “the Company”), a market leader in the Pet and Garden industries, announced today that Niko Lahanas has been appointed Chief Executive Officer, and Brad Smith has been appointed Chief Financial Officer, effective September 29, 2024. Mr. Lahanas will also join Central’s Board of Directors. Mr. Lahanas succeeds Beth Springer, who has served as Interim Chief Executive Officer since October, 2023. Ms. Springer will return to the role of Lead Independent Director.

Niko Lahanas has been appointed Chief Executive Officer of Central Garden & Pet, effective September 29, 2024. Mr. Lahanas will also join Central's Board of Directors. (Photo: Business Wire)

Niko Lahanas has been appointed Chief Executive Officer of Central Garden & Pet, effective September 29, 2024. Mr. Lahanas will also join Central's Board of Directors. (Photo: Business Wire)

“We are pleased to promote Niko to the role of CEO and are confident he is the right leader for Central as the Company enters its next phase of growth,” said Bill Brown, founder and Chairman of Central Garden & Pet. “Niko is a trusted and seasoned leader at Central, with nearly 18 years of experience in positions of increasing responsibility. He was appointed CFO in May 2017 and has been instrumental in setting the Company’s strategic direction and driving performance in that role. His experience in many financial, strategic and operating aspects of the organization will be invaluable to the future success of Central.”

Prior to joining Central, Mr. Lahanas worked in private equity and investment banking for over eight years. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from the University of California, Berkeley, and a Master of Business Administration degree from The George Washington University.

“Central has been my home for nearly 18 years. It is a great honor and privilege to take the helm as we embark on the next chapter in Central’s journey,” says Niko Lahanas, CEO of Central Garden & Pet. “I look forward to partnering with the Board and our leadership team to deliver strong results for our customers, employees, shareholders and communities. With our strong operational foundation, M&A capabilities and entrepreneurial culture, I am excited about the opportunities that lie ahead.”

Mr. Brown added, “On behalf of the Board of Directors, I would like to thank Beth for her steady leadership of Central during the past year. Her strong executive experience and familiarity with the Company resulting from her directorship made her the ideal candidate to guide Central as Interim CEO.”

Said Beth Springer, “It has been a pleasure and a privilege to work with Niko and the rest of the Central leadership in my capacity as Interim CEO. I look forward to continuing to serve the Company as a member of the Board of Directors.”

Brad Smith will succeed Mr. Lahanas as Chief Financial Officer of Central. Mr. Smith joined Central in May 2017 and has provided strong financial leadership to the Pet segment. Before joining Central, Mr. Smith worked at the Delhaize Group (now Ahold Delhaize), where he served 12 years in finance roles of increasing responsibility, including as Chief Financial Officer of their European operations. Prior to Delhaize Group, Mr. Smith spent 11 years at Arthur Andersen. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics from the University of California, Davis.

About Central Garden & Pet

Central Garden & Pet (NASDAQ: CENT) (NASDAQ: CENTA) understands that home is central to life and has proudly nurtured happy and healthy homes for over 40 years. With fiscal 2023 net sales of $3.3 billion, Central is on a mission to lead the future of the Pet and Garden industries. The Company’s innovative and trusted products are dedicated to helping lawns grow greener, gardens bloom bigger, pets live healthier, and communities grow stronger. Central is home to a leading portfolio of more than 65 high-quality brands including Amdro®, Aqueon®, Cadet®, Farnam®, Ferry-Morse®, Four Paws®, Kaytee®, K&H®, Nylabone® and Pennington®, strong manufacturing and distribution capabilities, and a passionate, entrepreneurial growth culture. Central is based in Walnut Creek, California, with 6,700 employees primarily across North America. Visit www.central.com to learn more.

Investor Relations Contact

Friederike Edelmann

VP Investor Relations & Corporate Sustainability

(925) 412-6726

fedelmann@central.com

Source: Central Garden & Pet Company

FAQ

Who is the new CEO of Central Garden & Pet (CENTA)?

Niko Lahanas, the former CFO of Central Garden & Pet, has been appointed as the new CEO effective September 29, 2024.

When will Niko Lahanas start as CEO of Central Garden & Pet (CENTA)?

Niko Lahanas will start as CEO of Central Garden & Pet on September 29, 2024.

Who is replacing Niko Lahanas as CFO of Central Garden & Pet (CENTA)?

Brad Smith, formerly the CFO of the Pet segment, will succeed Niko Lahanas as the new Chief Financial Officer of Central Garden & Pet.

How long has Niko Lahanas been with Central Garden & Pet (CENTA)?

Niko Lahanas has been with Central Garden & Pet for nearly 18 years, serving in positions of increasing responsibility.

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