EMERYVILLE, Calif. — Clif Bar & Co. has hired the former president at Tyson Foods to lead its snack bar business.
Sally Grimes will start as Clif Bar’s CEO on June 1 to help drive the company’s purpose-driven “Five Aspiration” business model, which it says focuses on sustaining people, community, planet, brands and business. Clif Bar’s founders, owners and co-CEOs Gary Erickson and Kit Crawford will remain on the company’s board of directors.
“I am honored to join this extraordinary company at a time when people are looking to brands to lead by example, something Clif Bar has been doing for nearly 30 years,” Grimes said. “Clif is in a unique position to not only innovate, but also drive meaningful change in our food system. Their focus on the long game is inspiring and offers endless potential. I can’t wait to get started.”
In addition to working at Tyson Foods, Grimes has held senior leadership positions at Kraft Foods, Newell Rubbermaid and The Hillshire Brands Co.
Before Grimes’ arrival, Clif Bar has implemented measures to keep its employees and food safe amid the coronavirus outbreak. Employees outside of Clif Bar’s bakery operations are working remotely, including teams in Canada and Europe. In addition to ramping up cleaning efforts in operating bakeries, the company has expanded paid leave benefits and given bonuses to bakery employees.
Clif Bar also has pledged 7 million Clif, Luna and Clif Kids bars to food banks, first responders and front-line healthcare workers.
The Emeryville, Calif.-based company was founded when Erickson wanted to make a better energy bar with nutritious, high-quality ingredients, according to the company.
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