Leadership Overview
Central Garden & Pet has 10 executives leading key functions including strategy, technology, finance, and distribution.
Driven by a commitment to enhancing the lives of pets and the beauty of homes, Central Garden & Pet is dedicated to providing high-quality products that foster connections between people, pets, and the outdoors, solidifying its market leadership through innovation and customer focus.
Driven by a commitment to enhancing the lives of pets and the beauty of homes, Central Garden & Pet is dedicated to providing high-quality products that foster connections between people, pets, and the outdoors, solidifying its market leadership through innovation and customer focus.
Leadership Roles at Central Garden & Pet
Nicholas Lahanas - Chief Executive Officer
Nicholas Lahanas, the Chief Executive Officer at Central Garden & Pet, directs the company's overall strategic vision and operational execution across both the Pet and Garden segments. Lahanas guides the integration of diverse product lines, including dog and cat supplies, aquatics, small animal products, and a comprehensive range of lawn and garden solutions, ensuring alignment with market demands and company growth objectives. Overseeing the company's expansion and market penetration strategies, Lahanas focuses on strengthening brand portfolios such as Aqueon, Farnam, Ferry-Morse, and Sevin. This leadership role involves fostering innovation in product development and distribution channels, from e-commerce to big-box retailers, to maximize reach and customer engagement. By championing a culture of operational excellence, Nicholas Lahanas drives the company's commitment to delivering value to consumers and stakeholders, solidifying Central Garden & Pet's position as a leader in its respective markets.

Jeffrey Wagner - Vice President, Finance & Chief Financial Officer, Central Specialty Pet
Jeffrey Wagner, the Vice President, Finance & Chief Financial Officer, Central Specialty Pet at Central Garden & Pet, directs the financial operations and strategic fiscal planning for the company's specialty pet division. Wagner oversees all aspects of financial management, including budgeting, forecasting, and financial reporting, ensuring the profitability and fiscal health of brands like Aqueon and K&H Pet Products. This leadership position involves analyzing market trends and financial performance to identify opportunities for growth and cost optimization within the pet supplies sector. Jeffrey Wagner plays a critical role in managing investments in product development, marketing, and distribution for a diverse range of pet products, from dog chews and containment solutions to small animal supplies. By providing insightful financial guidance, Wagner supports strategic decision-making to enhance market share and operational efficiency for Central Specialty Pet across its extensive retail and e-commerce networks.
Alice Moore - Chief Financial Officer, Dmc K & H Manufacturing
Alice Moore, the Chief Financial Officer, Dmc K & H Manufacturing at Central Garden & Pet, leads the financial strategy and operations for the K&H Manufacturing division, a key producer of pet products. Moore is responsible for financial planning, analysis, and reporting, ensuring fiscal discipline and driving profitability for K&H's extensive line of pet beds, containment, and grooming products. This role involves managing capital allocation, optimizing manufacturing costs, and supporting product innovation within the pet supplies market. Alice Moore provides critical financial insights to guide strategic decisions, focusing on enhancing operational efficiency and expanding market reach for K&H branded items. By ensuring robust financial controls and strategic fiscal management, Moore contributes significantly to the overall financial strength and growth objectives of Central Garden & Pet's manufacturing arm, supporting its position in the competitive pet supplies industry.
Brett Kresin - Chief Financial Officer, Live Goods
Brett Kresin, the Chief Financial Officer, Live Goods at Central Garden & Pet, directs the financial strategy and oversight for the company's live goods operations, encompassing live plants and small animals. Kresin manages all financial aspects, including budgeting, forecasting, and performance analysis, to ensure the profitability and sustainable growth of this segment. This leadership role involves optimizing supply chain costs, managing inventory valuation for perishable goods, and supporting strategic initiatives for product sourcing and distribution. Brett Kresin provides essential financial guidance for expanding the reach of live goods through various retail channels, including nurseries and mass merchants. By focusing on sound financial practices and strategic investment, Kresin strengthens the financial foundation of the live goods division, contributing to Central Garden & Pet's overall market presence and operational success in delivering fresh, high-quality products to consumers.
John Jordan - Chief Financial Officer, Garden
John Jordan, the Chief Financial Officer, Garden at Central Garden & Pet, leads the financial strategy and operations for the company's extensive garden segment. Jordan oversees all financial planning, analysis, and reporting activities, ensuring the profitability and fiscal health of brands like Ferry-Morse, Pennington, and Sevin. This critical role involves managing budgets for product development, marketing campaigns, and supply chain logistics for lawn and garden supplies, including grass seed, fertilizers, and pest control products. John Jordan provides strategic financial insights to drive growth and efficiency across the garden business, supporting expansion into diverse retail markets and e-commerce platforms. By maintaining rigorous financial controls and identifying key investment opportunities, Jordan strengthens the financial performance of the garden division, reinforcing Central Garden & Pet's leadership in the lawn and garden supplies market.
Gregory Andrews - President & Senior VP, Pet Distribution
Gregory Andrews, the President & Senior VP, Pet Distribution at Central Garden & Pet, directs the comprehensive distribution strategy and operations for the company's pet product portfolio. Andrews oversees the logistics and supply chain management for a wide array of pet supplies, including dog and cat treats, aquatics products, and small animal supplies, ensuring efficient delivery to independent distributors, big-box retailers, and online platforms. This leadership position involves optimizing warehousing, transportation, and inventory management to meet market demand across the United States. Gregory Andrews drives initiatives to enhance distribution network efficiency and expand market reach for pet brands such as Nylabone and Kaytee. By focusing on operational excellence in distribution, Andrews ensures timely and cost-effective product availability, supporting the company's commitment to serving pet owners nationwide and strengthening its market presence in the pet supplies sector.

Jim Heim - President, Business Development
Jim Heim, the President, Business Development at Central Garden & Pet, spearheads strategic initiatives focused on identifying and capitalizing on new growth opportunities across the company's Pet and Garden segments. Heim leads efforts in market analysis, strategic partnerships, and potential mergers and acquisitions to expand Central Garden & Pet's product offerings and market penetration. This role involves evaluating emerging trends in both the pet supplies and lawn and garden industries to drive innovation and diversification. Jim Heim works closely with leadership across all divisions to foster a culture of strategic growth and to ensure alignment with the company's long-term vision. By cultivating new business ventures and strengthening existing relationships, Heim plays a pivotal role in enhancing the company's competitive position and driving sustained revenue growth in diverse markets.

J.D. Walker - President, Garden Branded Business
J.D. Walker, the President, Garden Branded Business at Central Garden & Pet, directs the strategy and operations for the company's portfolio of garden brands, including Amdro, Ferry-Morse, Pennington, and Sevin. Walker oversees product development, marketing, and sales initiatives to drive growth and market leadership in the lawn and garden supplies sector. This leadership role involves managing the brand P&Ls, ensuring product innovation, and optimizing go-to-market strategies across various retail channels, from big-box stores to independent nurseries. J.D. Walker focuses on enhancing brand visibility and consumer engagement through targeted marketing campaigns and strategic retail partnerships. By championing product quality and market responsiveness, Walker ensures the continued success and expansion of Central Garden & Pet's garden offerings, solidifying its reputation for providing effective and reliable solutions for consumers' lawn and garden needs.

John Levandowski - Chief Technology Officer
John Levandowski, the Chief Technology Officer at Central Garden & Pet, architects the company's technology infrastructure and digital transformation initiatives. Levandowski spearheads the development and implementation of advanced technological solutions that support operational efficiency and enhance customer experience across the Pet and Garden segments. This involves overseeing the integration of data analytics, cloud computing, and cybersecurity measures to safeguard company assets and optimize business processes. John Levandowski drives innovation in e-commerce platforms and digital marketing strategies, ensuring Central Garden & Pet remains competitive in an evolving retail landscape. By focusing on scalable technology solutions, Levandowski enables the company to effectively manage its diverse product offerings, from pet supplies under brands like Nylabone and Kaytee to garden products from Pennington and Amdro. The Chief Technology Officer's strategic direction ensures robust IT systems that support the company's broad distribution network, serving independent distributors, mass merchants, and online retailers nationwide.
Christopher Walter - Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer
Christopher Walter, the Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer at Central Garden & Pet, manages the company's information technology operations and strategic planning. Walter ensures the reliability and security of all IT systems supporting the Pet and Garden business segments, overseeing infrastructure, software development, and data management. This role involves implementing robust cybersecurity protocols to protect sensitive company and customer data across all distribution channels, including e-commerce and retail partners. Christopher Walter drives initiatives to enhance operational efficiency through technology, supporting the distribution of a wide array of products from pet treats and aquatics supplies to lawn care and live plants. By aligning IT strategy with business objectives, Walter enables seamless integration of new technologies and supports the company's growth in markets across the United States. The Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer's leadership ensures that Central Garden & Pet maintains a competitive technological edge.
Explore Leadership Teams in Manufacturing
Nestlé Purina PetCare promotes responsible pet care, community involvement and the positive bond between people and their pets. A premiere global manufacturer of pet products, Nestlé Purina PetCare is part of Swiss-based Nestlé S.A., a global leader in nutrition, health and wellness. Subscribe here to get the latest Purina news.
Company Leadership AT
AF
JR
Alphia brings together two of Americas leading manufacturers of pet food and treats along with our ingredient milling solutions partner. The merging of these companies unites passionate pet people sharing similar values & deep work ethics to create a leading-edge, national manufacturer. Customers choose us as their trusted, entrepreneurial partner because we offer unparalleled marketplace intelligence, research and development expertise, as well as turnkey production and supply chain capabilities. Its how Alphia leads, though, that makes us different. Its the means by which our partnerships deliver growth for our customers, our employees and our communities. Alphia creates value via scale through a national footprint, bringing our partners closer to pet parents. The scale Alphia brings creates an advantage to customers through a best-in-class supply chain network focused on customer profitability. Growth is delivered to our partners via innovation. Forward thinking drives us to push boundaries, creating unique products to position our partners to capture growth. Market intelligence and category leadership fuel our brands to capture share as true innovators in market. The Alphia organization excels via expertise delivered through passionate, skilled and talented people. Alphias unwavering commitment to treat each brand as our own is a value thread into the fabric of our culture to deliver the safest, highest quality products on shelf. Its this diligence that has earned Alphias unshakeable reputation on which our partners trust is built. Alphia is an organization where hard work is rewarded, passion for product is exuded and professional growth is enabled. Buildings and machinery are important, but its our talented, skilled and invested people that make the difference. After decades of delivering leadership and growth in the industry, the future has never looked brighter for Alphia, our partners and our people.
Company Leadership
JB
RL

The Farmers Dog is a subscription-based pet health brand on a mission to disrupt the pet food industry. Our primary service reimagines the food we feed our pets by delivering fresh meals made with healthy, whole food ingredients in personalized meal plans. We launched after our co-founder Bretts battle to cure his Rottweiler Jadas stomach issues illustrated the power of fresh food. After testing every pet food on the market without success, Brett resorted to a fresh, home-cooked diet at his vets recommendation. The results were staggering Jada was cured. Once we realized how poor the state of commercial pet food was, we set out to develop a fresh alternative and created the product we wished existed for our own dogs (and dogs everywhere). Utilizing smart technology and an innovative business model, we are bringing peace of mind to our customers, health to their companions, and fundamentally changing the way people think about feeding their pets. Our investors have also backed companies like Dollar Shave Club, Warby Parker, Glossier, Casper, and Sweetgreen.
Company Leadership

ET

Kormotech is a global family business with Ukrainian roots, producing premium pet food for cats and dogs under the brands Optimeal, Club 4 Paws, Hav!, Myau! and My Love since 2003. The company operates manufacturing facilities in Ukraine and the EU.
Company Leadership
IP
YO
MS