Executive Decisions Roundup: Vitamin Shoppe, Mead Johnson, MusclePharm
This article was originally published in The Tan Sheet
Executive Summary
Watts heads Vitamin Shoppe; Mead Johnson CFO Leemputte leaving; MusclePharm makes branding chief, CFO changes.
Watts heads Vitamin Shoppe
Former McNeil Consumer Healthcare global chief Colin Watts joins [Vitamin Shoppe Inc.] as CEO effective in April. The North Bergen, N.J.-based nutritional products retailer and manufacturer on March 3 said Watts, succeeding Tony Truesdale, also will be a board member. His work at McNeil also included heading the Johnson & Johnson subsidiary’s Nutritionals business. Watts most recently worked as Weight Watchers Health Solutions president and was chief innovation officer for Walgreen Co. and in senior posts at Campbell Soup Co. Truesdale, who became CEO in 2011, announced his plan to retire in September 2014 (Also see "Executive Decisions Roundup" - Pink Sheet, 11 Sep, 2014.).
Mead Johnson CFO Leemputte leaving
Peter Leemputte, Mead Johnson Nutrition Co.’s chief financial officer since it launched as the first publicly traded company focused on pediatric nutritionals in 2009, is leaving the firm effective March 13. Charles Urbain, currently chief development officer, will serve as interim CFO and Leemputte will assist in the transition through June 30, the Glenview, Ill.-based maker of infant, child and adult nutritional beverages and other products said March 4. Leemputte, also an executive VP, has been Mead Johnson’s CFO since September 2008 and stayed with the firm in Bristol-Myers Squibb Co.’s spinoff (Also see "Mead Johnson Set Loose To Navigate Market, Shifting Economic Winds " - Pink Sheet, 16 Feb, 2009.).
MusclePharm branding chief, CFO changes
names Brian Cavanaugh senior VP for retail and brand strategy, overseeing growing the “performance-lifestyle” sports nutrition firm’s portfolio in areas including product development and strategy, brand positioning and overall company retail marketing strategy. Cavanaugh has more than 17 years’ experience in sports nutrition and wellness retail merchandising, product marketing and brand development. He most recently was as merchandising senior VP for the GNC chain. Separately, the Denver firm on March 6 said John Price succeeds Donald Prosser as chief financial officer. Price joined MusclePharm in July 2014 as finance executive VP, chairman of the Disclosure Committee and risk management officer.