US dried meat snacks manufacturer Stryve Foods has named Kevin Vivian, a former PepsiCo senior official, as the new chairman of the board.
Vivian assumes the position immediately and brings with him a 32-year tenure at PepsiCo, including roles as senior vice president of national account sales and division vice president for Frito-Lay crisps.
He has served as a board director since retiring from PepsiCo in 2018.
Vivian takes over from Stryve Foods’ co-founder Ted Casey, who had been chairman since the company’s founding in 2017.
Speaking on his appointment, Vivian expressed enthusiasm for joining Stryve Foods at a pivotal time for the company.
In a company statement, it was highlighted that Vivian’s selection was based on his track record of collaborating with top retail executive teams to drive sales and market share growth through partnerships and innovative strategies.
Stryve Foods CEO Chris Boever described Vivian as the ideal candidate as the company enters the third phase of its transformation strategy to achieve profitability through quality growth.
Earlier in April, the Nasdaq-listed firm announced plans to reduce EBITDA losses to achieve financial balance by fiscal 2025 under a new transformation initiative led by Boever, who assumed the CEO role in 2022.
Additionally, Stryve Foods aims to reach sales figures between $24-30m in 2024, following a $17.7m revenue in 2023.
Headquartered in Plano, Texas, Stryve Foods produces a range of dried, high-protein beef snacks under various brands, including its own label, Kalahari, Braaitime, and Vacadillos. It also markets pet treat brands like Two Tails.
The company’s products are available in major grocery stores, convenience stores, and online platforms across North America, including Amazon and Walmart.