B&G Foods, a company which distributes frozen and shelf-stable foods has recently announced that its CEO Robert C. Cantwell, who has been leading the company since 2015, will retire on April 5, 2019. Kenneth G. Romanzi, the firm’s current vice president and chief operating officer, will take over the top management position.
Mr. Romanzi joined B&G Foods from WhiteWave Foods Corp, where he held the position of president of fresh foods from March 2016 to October 2017. Before, he was senior vice-president and C.O.O, global brands at Ocean Spray Cranberries from 2013 to 2015, and C.O.O. of Ocean Spray’s North American food and beverage business from 2004 to 2013. Romanzi started his career in marketing working for Frito-Lay, Inc., back in 1982.
“During the past year, Ken has demonstrated that he has the experience and leadership skills to successfully lead B&G Foods to its next phase of growth. Ken has been a terrific partner, and I am confident that he is the right person to guide B&G Foods in the future”, declared Cantwell.
Cantwell has been with the B&G Foods for over 35 years. He joined the company in 1983 as the assistant vice-president of finance and was promoted to executive vice-president and chief financial officer in 1991. Following the retirement, he will continue to advise the company on M&A and capital markets transactions.
“During Mr. Cantwell’s tenure, B&G Foods has completed more than 20 acquisitions and grown from a small, regional pickle company to a leading public food company with a diverse portfolio of iconic bands. As chief executive officer over the last four years, Mr. Cantwell has transformed B&G Foods by completing six acquisitions, including the Green Giant acquisition and the spices and seasoning acquisition, the two largest acquisitions in company history, and the company’s net sales have approximately doubled during Mr. Cantwell’s tenure as CEO,” said Stephen C. Sherril, chairman of the board of directors.
