Smucker announces leadership changes in pet business

The J.M. Smucker Company announced the retirement of Barry C. Dunaway, president of pet food and pet snacks.

Photo by pikselstock | BigStockPhoto
Photo by pikselstock | BigStockPhoto

The J.M. Smucker Company has announced the retirement of Barry C. Dunaway, president of pet food and pet snacks. He will be succeeded by David J. Lemmon, president, Canada, international and US away from home.

Upon receipt of regulatory approval and closing of the planned acquisition of Ainsworth Pet Nutrition, Jeffrey Watters, president and Chief Executive Officer of Ainsworth, will be named senior vice president and general manager, Ainsworth, and will support the integration of the company into the Smucker pet food business as a key member of the pet leadership team.

Dunaway's achievements at Smucker

A veteran of more than 30 years with the J.M. Smucker Company, Dunaway has led the pet food and pet snacks business since March 2016, following the company's acquisition of Big Heart Pet Brands in March 2015. Prior to leading the pet business, he served as president, international and chief administrative officer. While leading corporate strategy and development, Dunaway was instrumental in the acquisition and integration of numerous transformational, bolt-on, and enabling transactions resulting in the company's growth. His retirement is effective July 31, 2018.

"Throughout his career, Barry Dunaway has made significant contributions to increasing the scale of our Company and expanding the breadth of our categories and brand portfolio," said Mark T. Smucker, Chief Executive Officer, in a press release. "He has been instrumental in our growth strategy, including acquiring and building our pet business, now one of our core business areas. He has been a steward of the values that have contributed to our company's culture and long-term success. We are grateful for his contributions over three decades and for the role he will play in the coming months to plan for the seamless integration of Ainsworth Pet Nutrition."

Career backgrounds of Dave Lemmon and Jeff Watters

A 24-year veteran of the company, Dave Lemmon was named to his current position in August 2017, having served previously as vice president and managing director of Canada and international from 2012 to 2016 and vice president and managing director, Canada, from 2007 to 2012. Prior to leading the Canadian business, he held various sales and marketing leadership roles within the company. He joined Smucker in 1994 from Colgate Palmolive.

Jeff Watters joined Ainsworth in 2009 as executive vice president. As president and Chief Executive Officer, he had oversight of the company's portfolio, including its flagship brand, Rachael Ray Nutrish. Watters came to Ainsworth from Del Monte, where he served as senior vice president of the company's pet products division and managing director of Star-Kist Seafood after joining in 2002 as part of a spinoff from Heinz. Earlier in his career, Watters worked in brand management with The Clorox Company and in sales and customer marketing with Kraft Foods Inc.

Lemmon will assume his new responsibilities on June 25, 2018 at which time Dunaway, the current pet leadership team, and Watters (pending closing of the Ainsworth transaction) will report to him. Until his retirement, Dunaway will serve as executive advisor, pet. Watters' team at Ainsworth will continue reporting to him.

In his new role, Lemmon will continue reporting to Smucker.

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