Central Garden & Pet Co., Walnut Creek, Calif., reported on Feb. 11 that President and CEO George Roeth has announced his intention to retire from his roles, effective at the end of the company’s fiscal year on Sept. 28, 2019. Prior to that date, he will continue to lead the company in his capacity as president and CEO to ensure a smooth transition. He joined Central Garden as president and CEO in June 2016 (GM May 20, 2016), saying he would stay 3-5 years.
The board of directors will form a committee to identify a successor with the assistance of a leading executive search firm.
“Under George’s leadership, Central has seen successive years of strong growth and financial performance, generating more than 50 percent in total shareholder return since he took the reins in June 2016,” said Sonny Pennington, board chair. “Importantly, Central also demonstrated significant improvement in its digital capabilities and strategic execution of a growth plan that positions the company for an exceptional future. On behalf of the full board, we are grateful to George for his continuing contributions to Central’s success and commitment to a smooth transition.”
On Feb. 11, the company announced that it has appointed a new independent director, Christopher Metz, effective immediately. His appointment increases Central’s board to 10 directors.
Metz has more than 25 years of experience leading high-performing companies and brands in the consumer and durable industries. He is currently the CEO for Vista Outdoor Inc., a publicly-held global designer, manufacturer, and marketer in the outdoor sports and recreation industry. He joined Vista Outdoor in 2017, and already has increased its free cash flow from $41 million to $206 million during his tenure as CEO.
Prior to Vista, Metz served as president and CEO of Arctic Cat, a manufacturer of outdoor recreational vehicles, and as a managing director of a leading private equity firm. Metz also held numerous senior management positions at Black & Decker, including president of the company’s Kwikset, Price Pfister, and Baldwin Hardware divisions. He currently serves on a number of boards, including Vista Outdoors and the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation.
Metz earned a bachelor’s degree in finance and marketing from the University of Delaware and an MBA from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He and his family reside in Delray Beach, FL.