Central Garden & Pet Appoints New CEO and CFO

By Tamara Parker • Saturday, September 28 15:18 • Permanent Link

Central Garden & Pet Company (NASDAQ: CENT), a leader in the Pet and Garden industries, has made significant changes at the top as it announced the appointment of Niko Lahanas as Chief Executive Officer and Brad Smith as Chief Financial Officer, effective September 29, 2024. This follows the tenure of Beth Springer as Interim Chief Executive Officer since October 2023.

Niko Lahanas, who previously served as the company's CFO, brings over 18 years of experience at Central. Under his leadership, the company saw fiscal 2023 net sales of $3.3 billion. His appointment as CEO is a testament to his extensive experience in various financial, strategic, and operating aspects of the organization.

Brad Smith, the former CFO of the Pet segment, will succeed Lahanas as Central's CFO. Smith's strong financial leadership within the Pet segment, coupled with his previous experience at Delhaize Group and Arthur Andersen, makes him a valuable addition to Central's executive team.

These changes come as the company aims to lead the future of the Pet and Garden industries with a portfolio of over 65 high-quality brands, including Amdro®, Aqueon®, Cadet®, and Kaytee®, among others. Central's fiscal 2023 net sales of $3.3 billion demonstrate its commitment to nurturing happy and healthy homes.

With the new leadership in place, Central is poised to leverage its strong operational foundation, M&A capabilities, and entrepreneurial culture to drive strong results for its customers, employees, shareholders, and communities. The company, with 6,700 employees primarily across North America, remains dedicated to helping lawns grow greener, gardens bloom bigger, pets live healthier, and communities grow stronger.

The appointment of Niko Lahanas as CEO and Brad Smith as CFO marks a significant change in Central's leadership, reflecting the company's commitment to achieving its strategic objectives and driving performance as it enters its next phase of growth. The market has reacted to these announcements by moving the company's shares -0.3% to a price of $36.65. For more information, read the company's full 8-K submission here.

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