Central Garden and Pet Co., Walnut Creek, Calif., announced that it will begin looking for a new president and CEO this fall, as President and CEO John Ranelli plans on stepping down from that position around the time he turns 70, toward the end of fiscal year 2016. Thereafter, he plans on remaining with the company as an advisor for the next four years.
Ranelli also announced that William Brown, chairman of the board, began a leave of absence in July as he continues to recover from injuries he sustained in an accident in his home earlier this year. Brown, who served as CEO (1980-2003; 2007-2013), has been board chairman since 1980.
Jack Balousek, the company’s lead independent director, is acting as interim non-executive chairman until Brown returns.
In other news, Senior Vice President and CFO Lori Varlas is leaving her position, effective Sept. 2, to accept a senior job with another company. David Chichester has been named acting CFO. He has served on the Central board’s for 13 years as audit committee financial expert. He has served as CFO or held senior finance positions at several companies, including Starbucks and Marriott Corp.