Utz Brands Welcomes Howard Friedman as the New CEO

Starting on December 15, 2022, Howard Friedman, currently, Chief Operations Officer of Post Holdings, Inc., will join Utz Brands as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and serve as a member of the Utz Board.

During the same time, Dylan Lissette, currently Chief Executive Officer, will be appointed Executive Chairman of the Board after 27 years with the company. In conjunction with these appointments, Roger Deromedi, the current Chairman of the Board, will take on the role of Lead Independent Director. In the second quarter of 2023, Lissette will take over as Non-Executive Chairman of the Board.

According to a recent press release, this leadership transition was initially contemplated at the time of the merger between Collier Creek Holdings and Utz and is a natural next step as Utz continues to develop as a public company.

“The search for the next CEO of Utz included the consideration of both internal and external candidates, leading to the identification of Mr. Friedman as an ideal successor to Mr. Lissette, with the right CPG experience and expertise to lead the Company as it accelerates its proven growth strategy,” the press release reveals.

Friedman recently declared that he is honored to join Utz as CEO at this important time and that he sees enormous potential to continue Utz’s exciting journey.

“I am confident that, with such a values-driven, passionate organization, and a portfolio of iconic snacks beloved by families across the U.S., Utz is just getting started. I am eager to start this new chapter and work with Dylan, the Utz leadership team, and the Board to drive value, expand the Company’s reach, and deliver growth as we produce world-class product innovation and the flagship snacks consumers have connected with for more than a century,” Friedman added.

Howard Friedman has more than 25 years of experience in the food and beverage sector leading some of America’s most iconic brands, including PEBBLES™ cereal, LUNCHABLES™ snacks, PHILADELPHIA™ cream cheese, KOOL-AID™ drinks, and KRAFT™ foods. Throughout his career, Friedman has built a proven track record of profitably growing businesses through world-class marketing, strategy, and innovation. Additionally, he has deep experience in new business integration, commercial execution, and value creation.

Joining Utz in 1995 and serving as CEO since 2013, Lissette has been integral to the company’s success, guiding Utz through its evolution from a regional snack food brand to the third largest branded salty snack platform in the United States. During his tenure as CEO, Lissette oversaw a decade of significant accomplishments, including sales growth that nearly tripled to reach over USD1.3bn, Utz’s debut as a public company, and the completion of six acquisitions since the company’s public listing in 2020.

Utz Brands manufactures a diverse portfolio of savory snacks through popular brands including Utz®, ON THE BORDER® Chips & Dips, Golden Flake®, Zapp’s®, Good Health®, Boulder Canyon®, Hawaiian Brand®, and TORTIYAHS!®, among others.