WAKEFIELD, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Phelps Industries, LLC, an American pet treat and snack manufacturer for more than 25 years, named Daniel W. Trott as their new President and Chief Executive Officer.
“I am excited to combine both my experience and leadership into providing our clients an even greater value proposition and expanding our presence in a number of underdeveloped pet treat channels,” said Mr. Trott. “I have tremendous respect for Phelps Industries’ highly accomplished management team and supportive board of directors, and look forward to building our business.”
Mr. Trott joins Phelps Industries, after eight years with Kansas City based, Russell Stover Candies, most recently serving as the company’s Chief Operations Officer. During Mr. Trott’s tenure, Russell Stover outpaced industry growth for more than five years and tripled its EBITDA. At the privately held Russell Stover, Mr. Trott was responsible for sales, key components of the operations function, customer service, and international expansion while working in partnership with the Ward Family ownership team.
According to Ryan Wierck, Managing Director, Wafra Partners LLC, a New York City based private equity firm specializing in middle market opportunities, whose affiliate currently has a majority stake in Phelps Industries, “It was vital we bring in an experienced leader with a broad perspective across categories to lead our talented existing team, and are pleased to welcome Dan.”
Prior to Russell Stover, Mr. Trott was the president of American Italian Pasta Sales Co., and EVP of marketing for the largest pasta manufacturer in North America. For 14 years, prior to AIPC, Mr. Trott successfully held a variety of roles at PepsiCo, serving as general manager of one of PepsiCo’s Midwest beverage divisions, as well as the VP/General Manager of the Pepsi/Lipton Joint Venture, a JV formed between Pepsico and Unilever to market and sell Ready-to-Drink Tea on a global basis. Mr. Trott began his professional career in a variety of roles at Anheuser-Busch Companies.
Mr. Trott earned his MBA from the University of Missouri, specializing in finance and marketing and graduated summa cum laude from Southeast Missouri State University, where he earned his B.S. Business Administration.
About Phelps Industries, LLC:
Phelps Industries, LLC is a well-respected pet treat and snack manufacturing firm with 25+ years of experience selling high quality, branded, private label, and contract manufactured pet treats for a number of retailers across North America. Based in Boston, Massachusetts, and with operations in Rockford Illinois, Phelps works extensively with customers throughout the U.S. and Canada. For more information, visit www.phelpsindustriesllc.com.
About Wafra Investment Advisory Group
Wafra Investment Advisory Group, Inc. ("WIAG"), an affiliate of Wafra Partners LLC, has been making direct equity investments since 1990. Wafra Partners LLC was separately founded in 2001 to identify companies and investments within the parameters and sectors previously named, and in which WIAG and its clients can invest.