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WATERBURY, Vt. — Robert Gamgort, chief executive officer of Pinnacle Foods Inc., is leaving the company next month to join Keurig Green Mountain Inc. as CEO.
Plans call for Gamgort to take the helm as CEO at Keurig on May 2. He will replace Brian Kelley, who will become vice chairman of the board. Keurig became a private company earlier this month with the closing of $13.9 billion buyout deal by a JAB Holding Co.-led consortium.
Robert Gamgort
“I am excited to have the opportunity to partner with JAB and the Keurig team,” Gamgort said in a statement. “I see a significant opportunity to build upon Keurig’s unique combination of brands, partners and technologies by accelerating innovation and expanding penetration of single-serve systems to continue winning in the consumer market.”
Gamgort joined Pinnacle as CEO in 2009. Before that, he served as North American president for Mars Inc., where he managed the company’s confectionery, main meal, pet food and retail businesses. He joined Mars in 1998, initially serving as vice president of marketing for M&M/Mars and then as general manager of its chocolate unit.
Prior to that, Gamgort was president of Major League Baseball Properties. He started his career at Kraft Foods, where he served in key marketing, sales, corporate strategy and general management roles.
“We are delighted that Bob will become the CEO and a key shareholder of Keurig,” stated Bart Becht, chairman of JAB and Keurig. “Bob is one of the most talented and respected executives in the fast-moving consumer goods industry, and his focus on growth and long-term value creation makes him an ideal partner for JAB, as well as its co-investors.”
Pinnacle said Gamgort will continue to lead the company and serve on its board until his departure. Pinnacle’s board has commenced a search for his replacement, and the search committee is evaluating internal and external candidates, according to the company, which added that the process is expected to be completed in time for a seamless transition.
“The decision to leave Pinnacle is a difficult one, as I am very proud of the unique business model that we have developed and the significant value that we have created for all stakeholders,” Gamgort commented.
Parsippany, N.J.-based Pinnacle has a wide range of food brands, including such well-known names as Duncan Hines, Vlasic, Wish-Bone, Mrs. Butterworth’s, Log Cabin, Armour, Birds Eye, Van de Kamp’s, Mrs. Paul’s, Hungry-Man, Aunt Jemima, Lender’s, Celeste, Tim’s Cascade Snacks, Snyder of Berlin, Udi’s Gluten Free, Earth Balance and Smart Balance.
