Flagship Food Group Appoints Butler CEO, Board Member
Flagship Food Group has appointed Adam Butler as chief executive officer and member of the company’s advisory board.
Prior to joining Flagship, Butler had a highly successful 17-year career at Kraft Heinz where he spearheaded the transformation for many of the brands in the U.S. as president for the convenient meals, frozen, coffee, cold beverages, and nuts categories. Most recently, Butler led the No. 2 Global Kraft Heinz market by accelerating topline, margin, market share, and employee engagement growth as the CEO of Kraft Heinz Canada.
Butler had senior leadership over brands including Kraft Mac & Cheese, Lunchables, Planters, Ore-Ida, Maxwell House, Kool-Aid and Bagel Bites, among others.
“We are so excited about Adam joining our company as we enter a new chapter of growth of our brands, products, and facilities,” said Rob Holland, Flagship Food Group’s executive chairman. “Having acquired five businesses and more than doubled our business in recent years, we’ve been carefully considering candidates for this position for quite some time. We met a number of outstanding people in the process; and Adam is someone with the unique combination of skill, experience, and passion that I know will make a great leader.”
Holland will remain chairman of the board and will continue to provide strategic leadership as the business develops into the future.
“I could not be more humbled and honored to join Rob and the Flagship group in the exciting journey ahead,” said Butler. “The market they serve is without question one of the most dynamic and influential drivers of food globally, and Flagship is well positioned to be an explosive and transformative leader in the space. I had the opportunity to spend time with a number of exciting and growing organizations looking for the right fit, and there is not a more impressive combination of brands, business models, culture and people out there.”
Based in Flagship Food Group’s Denver office, Butler will be charged with continuing the rapid growth the company has been driving in its brands in recent years, while also creating a strategy to bring unity and cohesion to the overall enterprise.
“Flagship has truly become one of the largest and most important players in the premium and Hispanic food space, and I’m excited to have attracted the talent that will leverage this position in the marketplace to drive accelerated growth, more solutions for our customers, and a broader reach to consumers across North America,” added Holland.
Flagship Food Group believes that its brands are among the fastest growing and most coveted in the industry; its 505 Southwestern and Young Guns brands are considered the largest and most historic brands in the Hatch Valley Green Chile space. Its Yucatan Guacamole brand was first-to-market in scaled retail guacamole nearly three decades ago and together with Cabo Fresh, creates one of the largest brand groups in the category.
Its La Tortilla Factory brand was an early innovator in better-for-you tortillas and today remains the largest, nationally distributed brand of tortillas that is specifically focused on organic and better-for-you. Its TJ Farms brand is one the fastest growing brands in its category of frozen snacks, sides, and potato products. Flagship operates five plants and warehouses across California, Kansas, New Mexico, and Mexico, and maintains sales, R&D, and support facilities in Colorado, California, Idaho, and Minnesota.
“Flagship brings a growing stable of premium brands with rich heritage and unparalleled quality to one of the fastest growing segments in food. Together, we’re going to forge a new frontier of flavor, and I am extremely fortunate to get the chance to work alongside such a passionate and talented group,” said Butler.
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Goya Foods Sends Food, Drinks to East Palestine, Ohio
Goya Foods, through its Goya Gives global initiative, is sending ready-to-serve Goya food and beverages to the people of East Palestine and surrounding areas in response to the Ohio train derailment.
“The impact of this disaster is devastating on both the community and the environment. East Palestine has been treated like a forgotten town, and while this may be a small community, it is not a forgotten community by Goya. We are always present during moments of tragedy for all people in need,” said Bob Unanue, president and CEO of Goya Foods.
Goya products will be received and distributed with the help of Chaney Nezbeth, executive director of Way Station, a community resource for families and individuals in need.
“Being able to offer the residents of East Palestine food and beverages options that don’t require their tap water for preparation is something no one else had even thought of. The variety of items that Goya is providing is incredible and absolutely needed right now,” Nezbeth said.
Through Goya Gives, Goya is always at the forefront of natural disasters and humanitarian relief efforts, donating millions of pounds of food each year in the United States and worldwide. Most recently, Goya donated food to the people of Turkey and Syria.
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Goya Gives, G.E.M. Send Supplies to Earthquake Victims
Goya Foods, through its Goya Gives global initiative, partners with Global Empowerment Mission to send ongoing shipments of food to the people of Turkey in response to the desperate cries of earthquake victims in Malatya. G.E.M.’s Miami headquarters is consolidating donations from around the country, and Goya’s Florida and Texas facilities with daily shipments of food, water, and humanitarian aid to Turkey.
“Our hearts and prayers go out to the over 19,000 victims, their families, the first responders, and the people of Turkey in this historic disaster. Michael Capponi, founder of G.E.M. was already on the ground within 48 hours in Turkey when we received his call for help. Although we always respond to crises around the world, this is especially heartbreaking due to the sheer number of souls lost,” said Bob Unanue, president and CEO of Goya Foods.
Through Goya Gives, Goya is always at the forefront of natural disasters and humanitarian relief efforts, donating millions of pounds of food each year in the United States and worldwide.
Founded in 1936, Goya Foods, Inc. is America’s largest Hispanic-owned food company and has established itself as the leader in Latin American food and condiments. Goya manufactures, packages, and distributes over 2,500 high-quality food products from Spain, the Caribbean, Mexico, Central, and South America.
Goya products have their roots in the culinary traditions of Hispanic communities worldwide. The combination of authentic ingredients, robust seasonings, and convenient preparation makes Goya products ideal for every taste and table. For more information on Goya Foods, please visit www.goya.com.
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