Utz Brands Names Former Tropicana Executive William J. Kelley Jr. as New CFO
Utz Brands, a well-known snacks company based in Pennsylvania, has announced the appointment of William J. Kelley Jr. as its new Chief Financial Officer. Kelley, a former executive at Tropicana, will be taking over the role from Ajay Kataria, who is set to step down on May 1.
Kelley brings a wealth of experience to his new position, having previously served as CFO at Tropicana for three years. During his time at Tropicana, Kelley played a key role in the separation of the orange juice maker from its previous owner, PepsiCo, as part of a $3.3 billion brand offloading in 2021.
Meanwhile, Kataria has been with Utz for eight years and has been serving as the CFO since 2021. He played a crucial role in overseeing Utz’s transition to a publicly traded company in 2020.
Industry Veteran to Lead Financial Decision-Making
According to Utz CEO Howard Frieman, Kelley’s appointment is a strategic move to bring in someone with deep financial expertise and operational experience in the food and beverage industry. Kelley’s arrival comes at a time when Utz is experiencing significant growth and expanding its market reach nationwide.
In a statement, Kelley expressed his admiration for Utz’s momentum and growth strategy, signaling his readiness to contribute to the company’s continued success. The reasons behind Kataria’s departure were not disclosed by the company.
Internal Appointment and Financial Outlook
Utz also announced the appointment of Jeremy Stuart as the Chief Customer Officer and Executive Vice President of Sales. Stuart, a former Coca-Cola executive, brings valuable experience to his new role. He replaces Mark Schreiber, who is retiring after eight years with the company.
As Utz prepares to report its earnings on May 1, the company is projecting annual growth between 1.5% and 1.7% for the first quarter of 2025. This positive outlook reflects the growing popularity of salty snacks and Utz’s strategic focus on its core chip and pretzel brands.
Strategic Decisions and Expansion
Utz has been making strategic operational decisions to enhance its market position and drive growth. In 2024, the company sold its Good Health and R.W. Garcia brands to Our Home, the owner of Popchips, for $182.5 million. Additionally, Utz recently opened a state-of-the-art logistics center in Hanover, Pennsylvania, to support its expanding operations.
With the appointment of William J. Kelley Jr. and the internal promotion of Jeremy Stuart, Utz Brands is poised for continued success and growth in the competitive snacks industry.
