Mama’s Creations Appoints Veteran CPG and Retail Executive Chris Darling as Chief Commercial Officer

Rhea-AI Summary

Mama's Creations (NASDAQ: MAMA) has appointed Chris Darling as Chief Commercial Officer, completing its senior management team build-out. Darling brings over 20 years of executive leadership experience in the Retail and CPG industries, having previously served on Boar's Head's executive leadership team and held executive positions at HEB, Ahold, and Albertsons Companies. His expertise spans store development, retail merchandising, private label development, and M&A experience. The appointment aims to optimize commercial power and accelerate growth in the prepared foods space.

Positive

• Strategic hire brings extensive industry expertise from major retailers and CPG companies
• Completes build-out of senior management team
• Addition of executive with significant M&A experience
• Brings high-level relationships with major retailers and decision-makers

Negative

• None.

Former Boar’s Head Executive to Optimize Commercial Power, Leveraging 20+ Years of World-Class Leadership Experience within the Retail and CPG Industries; Completes Build-Out of Industry Leading Senior Management Team

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ, Oct. 29, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Mama’s Creations, Inc. (NASDAQ: MAMA), a leading national marketer and manufacturer of fresh deli prepared foods, today announced the appointment of senior CPG sales and retail executive Chris Darling to the role of Chief Commercial Officer.

Chris Darling brings over 20 years of experience in executive leadership within the Retail and CPG industries across a variety of public and private companies, including comparable companies and current or prospective retailers of Mama’s Creations. His background includes store development and operations, retail merchandising and marketing, private label and branded product development with a focus on prepared foods commissaries and routes to market.

Prior to joining Mama’s Creations, he served on the Boar’s Head executive leadership team leading national sales. Previously, Chris worked in executive level positions at top retailers including HEB, Ahold and Albertsons Companies. Additionally, he led two start up retail brands and was the President of Lucky’s Market, a Kroger affiliate. Throughout his career, he has built significant M&A experience inclusive of input into the selection, vetting and integration of acquisitions.

“Chris brings a world-class consumer mindset from a storied career in the deli – where he led world class commercial organizations at incredibly strategic firms such as Boar’s Head, HEB, Ahold and Albertsons – bringing a highly incremental skillset to the Mama’s Creations team,” said Adam L. Michaels, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Mama’s Creations. “He is a recognized industry innovator who has applied his expertise with major retail brands including successes on both national brands and private label development, manufacturing, distribution efficiencies, marketing, merchandising and operational excellence.

“Most importantly, Chris knows how to build a national brand and particularly in the prepared meal solutions space. He brings the passion for developing compelling propositions for our retail partners. We know the potential strength of the Mama’s brand and his storytelling, decision-maker level relationships, and analytical mindset are the perfect delivery system for the next leg of profitable growth in our One Stop Shop evolution. Chris’ experience leading highly successful brands as both a retailer and supplier in the critical fresh meal replacement space makes him the ideal candidate to lead our commercial organization. With the build-out of our industry leading senior team now complete, we are well positioned to fully realize our long-term growth potential and emerge as a dominant player in the prepared foods space,” concluded Michaels.

Chris Darling added: “I am privileged to join Mama’s Creations at such an exciting time in the Company’s growth trajectory. My primary focus will be to align commercial strategy with business strategy across marketing, sales, product development and customer service. The company’s family of brands have significant opportunities to accelerate – both organically and inorganically – and are well positioned to grow market share in the expanding prepared food space as consumer preferences shift toward fresh, prepared meal options. I look forward to working closely alongside Adam and the team at Mama’s Creations as we enter our next phase of growth and, ultimately, seek to create value for our shareholders.”

About Mama’s Creations, Inc.

Mama’s Creations, Inc. (Nasdaq: MAMA) is a leading marketer and manufacturer of fresh deli prepared foods, found in over 8,000 grocery, mass, club and convenience stores nationally. The Company’s broad product portfolio, born from MamaMancini’s rich history in Italian foods, now consists of a variety of high quality, fresh, clean and easy to prepare foods to address the needs of both our consumers and retailers. Our vision is to become a one-stop-shop deli solutions platform, leveraging vertical integration and a diverse family of brands to offer a wide array of prepared foods to meet the changing demands of the modern consumer. For more information, please visit https://mamascreations.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Forward-looking statements include information about management’s view of the Company’s future expectations, plans and prospects, including future business opportunities or strategies and are generally preceded by words such as “may,” “believe,” “future,” “plan” or “planned,” “will” or “should,” “expect,” “anticipates,” “eventually” or “projected.” You are cautioned that such statements are subject to a multitude of known and unknown risks and uncertainties that could cause future circumstances, events, or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements, including the risks that actual results may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements as a result of various factors. Certain of these risk factors and others are included in documents the Company files with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including but not limited to, the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended January 31, 2023, as well as subsequent reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Investor Relations Contact:
Lucas A. Zimmerman
Managing Director
MZ Group – MZ North America
(949) 259-4987
MAMA@mzgroup.us
www.mzgroup.us

FAQ

Who is the new Chief Commercial Officer of Mama's Creations (MAMA)?

Chris Darling has been appointed as the new Chief Commercial Officer of Mama's Creations (MAMA), bringing over 20 years of executive leadership experience in Retail and CPG industries.

What is Chris Darling's previous experience before joining Mama's Creations (MAMA)?

Before joining Mama's Creations, Chris Darling served on Boar's Head's executive leadership team and held executive positions at major retailers including HEB, Ahold, and Albertsons Companies. He was also President of Lucky's Market, a Kroger affiliate.

What will be Chris Darling's main responsibilities at Mama's Creations (MAMA)?

Chris Darling will focus on aligning commercial strategy with business strategy across marketing, sales, product development, and customer service, aiming to accelerate growth both organically and inorganically.