Stella & Chewy’s has appointed Jay Thompson as its new chief executive officer, bringing in a seasoned leader with experience from Generous Brands, Chobani, Utz Quality Foods and PepsiCo to lead the pet food company's next stage of growth.
“We are thrilled to welcome Jay Thompson to the Stella & Chewy's family,” said Ken Fox, chairman of the board. “Jay's impressive background in building and scaling beloved consumer brands aligns perfectly with our mission.”
Company founder Marie Moody, who returned as interim CEO in 2024, helped restructure leadership and reaffirm the company’s focus on premium raw nutrition.
“In this next chapter, it was important to ensure we had the right team in place — leaders with talent, passion and shared values,” said Moody. “With Jay at the helm and a strong executive team supporting him, I am confident we can propel our beloved brand to the next level.”
Thompson previously served as CFO at Generous Brands and held leadership roles at Chobani and PepsiCo.
“Stella & Chewy's represents a unique opportunity to lead a brand that has set the standard for quality and innovation in the pet food industry,” said Thompson. “Together, we can make a meaningful difference in improving the health and nutrition of pets everywhere.”
As CEO, Thompson will focus on expanding Stella & Chewy’s product portfolio, strengthening customer relationships and broadening market reach. As part of this ongoing momentum, the brand expanded into new retail channels —broadening access to its premium, natural pet food for more pets and pet families across the country.
