Utz Executive and Leadership Team

Howard Friedman, the Chief Executive Officer at Utz, directs the overarching corporate strategy and long-term vision for the snack food portfolio. Overseeing the integration of diverse brands like Zapp's and Boulder Canyon, the Chief Executive Officer ensures consistent market expansion across grocery, convenience, and e-commerce channels. This leadership role involves constant collaboration with the Board to drive shareholder value and operational efficiency. By prioritizing innovation in product development and distribution, Howard Friedman directly impacts the competitive positioning of the organization. The Chief Executive Officer maintains a focus on scaling the business footprint throughout the United States, ensuring that the manufacturing and marketing arms remain aligned with consumer demand. Through rigorous oversight of financial performance and organizational culture, the Chief Executive Officer secures the future trajectory of the company within the highly competitive salty snack industry.

Jennifer Bentz, the Executive VP & Chief Marketing Officer at Utz, architects the brand identity and consumer engagement strategies for the entire snack portfolio. Managing the marketing lifecycle for products ranging from potato chips to salsa and dips, the Executive VP & Chief Marketing Officer drives brand awareness across mass merchandisers and specialty retailers. This role involves analyzing market trends to optimize product positioning and promotional campaigns. By leveraging data-driven insights, Jennifer Bentz ensures that the diverse brand family resonates with target demographics throughout North America. The Executive VP & Chief Marketing Officer collaborates with sales teams to maximize shelf presence and digital visibility. Through creative campaign development and strategic brand management, the Executive VP & Chief Marketing Officer strengthens the market share of the company. This leadership function remains vital for maintaining the relevance of iconic snack brands in a crowded retail environment.

James Sponaugle, the Executive Vice President & Chief People Officer at Utz, directs human capital strategy and organizational development initiatives. Overseeing talent acquisition, employee engagement, and workforce training, the Executive Vice President & Chief People Officer ensures that the company maintains a high-performance culture across all manufacturing and corporate facilities. This role involves designing compensation structures and leadership development programs that support the broader business objectives. By fostering an inclusive and productive work environment, James Sponaugle directly impacts the operational stability of the organization. The Executive Vice President & Chief People Officer collaborates with other C-suite leaders to align human resources policies with the strategic growth goals of the company. Through the implementation of robust talent management systems, the Executive Vice President & Chief People Officer secures the human infrastructure necessary to support large-scale snack food production and distribution operations throughout the United States.

Theresa Shea, the Executive Vice President & Chief Legal Officer & Corporate Secretary at Utz, manages all legal affairs, regulatory compliance, and corporate governance matters. Overseeing the legal framework for product distribution and manufacturing operations, the Executive Vice President & Chief Legal Officer & Corporate Secretary ensures that the company adheres to industry standards and government regulations. This role involves mitigating risk through contract management and intellectual property protection for the diverse snack portfolio. By providing counsel on strategic initiatives and mergers, Theresa Shea directly supports the expansion efforts of the organization. The Executive Vice President & Chief Legal Officer & Corporate Secretary maintains the integrity of corporate records and facilitates communication between the Board and executive leadership. Through diligent oversight of legal risks and compliance protocols, the Executive Vice President & Chief Legal Officer & Corporate Secretary protects the reputation and assets of the company across all regional markets.

Chad Whyte, the Executive VP, Supply Chain at Utz, directs the end-to-end logistics and procurement strategy for the snack food business. Overseeing the flow of raw materials and the distribution of finished goods to wholesale, grocery, and convenience store partners, the Executive VP, Supply Chain ensures maximum efficiency in the delivery network. This role involves optimizing inventory management and transportation routes to reduce costs and improve service levels. By coordinating with manufacturing teams, Chad Whyte ensures that the supply chain remains responsive to fluctuating consumer demand. The Executive VP, Supply Chain manages relationships with third-party distributors and logistics providers to maintain a seamless path to market. Through the implementation of advanced supply chain technologies, the Executive VP, Supply Chain drives operational excellence and supports the company's ability to scale distribution across the United States, ensuring that products reach retail shelves with consistent reliability.

Shannan Redcay, the Executive VP, Manufacturing at Utz, directs the production processes and facility operations for the entire snack food portfolio. Overseeing the manufacturing plants that produce potato chips, pretzels, and other snacks, the Executive VP, Manufacturing ensures that all production lines meet rigorous quality and safety standards. This role involves managing capital investments in machinery and process improvements to increase output and reduce waste. By focusing on operational efficiency, Shannan Redcay directly impacts the cost structure and profitability of the company. The Executive VP, Manufacturing collaborates with the supply chain team to ensure that production schedules align with market demand. Through the implementation of lean manufacturing principles, the Executive VP, Manufacturing maintains high production standards across all facilities. This leadership role remains critical for sustaining the volume and quality required to support the extensive retail presence of the company throughout the United States.