Utz Brands announces succession plan, names Howard Friedman future CEO

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Utz Brands announces succession plan, names Howard Friedman future CEO

4 Oct 2022

Annie Hollon

Annie Hollon is a journalist, copywriter and social media strategist from the Dallas, Texas area. She found a love for magazine writing during her time at the University of Alabama where she graduated with a Bachelor of Arts, double majoring in public relations and English. Beyond writing, you can find her expanding her library, attempting to teach herself the guitar and trying new hobbies.

HANOVER, PA — Following a 27-year tenure with leading US salty snack manufacturer Utz , Dylan Lisette will be appointed executive of the board effective Dec. 15, 2022, and succeeded by Howard Friedman, current COO of Post Holdings, who will join the company as CEO and chair of the board.

“I’ve had the honor and privilege to work for and to help lead this great company for nearly three decades,” Lisette said. “It’s been immensely gratifying to see the success of our team over so many years, as Utz continues to achieve enhanced scale while never compromising the family-crafted quality and great flavors that our consumers expect.”

Following these appointments, current board chair Roger Deromedi will become lead independent director and Lisette will transition to non-executive chair of the board in Q2 2023.

Lisette has worked at Utz since 1995 and served as CEO since 2013, and has been critical to the company’s success and evolution to become the third largest branded salty snack platform in the US. Under his leadership, Lisette oversaw sales growth that reached over $1.3 billion, Utz’s debut as a public company, the completion of six acquisitions since 2020 and more than a decade of other major accomplishments.

“Our track record of success has been incredible, and I am truly excited to transition into the role of executive chair and to welcome Howard to our team,” Lisette added.

The leadership transition was instigated during the merger of Utz and Collier Creek Holdings and serves as a natural next step for the company as it continues its development as a publicly held company. With CPG experience and the necessary expertise needed to continue the company’s growth strategy, Friedman was identified as the next CEO of Utz following a search of internal and external candidates.

“I am honored to join Utz as CEO at this important time, and I see enormous potential to continue Utz’s exciting journey,” Friedman said. “I am confident that, with such a values-driven, passionate organization, and a portfolio of iconic snacks beloved by families across the US, Utz is just getting started.”

With over 25 years of experience in the food and beverage industry, Friedman boasts an impressive portfolio of brands including Lunchables snacks, Kraft Foods and more. Throughout his career, he has built a record for building profitable business through his marketing, strategy and innovation skills in addition to his expertise in new business integration, commercial execution and value creation.

“With the foundation that Dylan and the team have built, and now under Howard’s leadership, I feel we have tremendous continued growth potential,” said Michael Rice, Utz chair emeritus and former Utz CEO of more than 30 years. “With Dylan as the chair of the board and Howard leading the business, I anticipate continued success long into the future.”

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