Kincannon & Reed Recruits COO for Double Good
June 18, 2024 – Executive recruitment firm Kincannon & Reed, which exclusively focuses on food, agribusiness, and the related life sciences, has assisted in the recruitment of Aaron Scott as chief operating officer – manufacturing at Double Good in Chicago. “A data-driven decision maker, Aaron is a strategic and collaborative leader who is proactive in his approach,” said Paul Izenstark, managing director. “His entrepreneurial spirit and genuine affinity for Double Good’s mission will benefit him greatly in this new role.”
“Aaron is an expert communicator and a skilled decision-maker,” said Kimberly Bretz, managing director. “He is known for his engaging leadership style and the high-performing environment it cultivates.”
“Dynamic and hands-on, Aaron brings passion for empowering and developing teams to his new role,” said Lisa Johnson, managing director. “He fosters a culture of collaboration, accountability and continuous improvement through visible, supportive leadership.”
A seasoned professional with over 15 years of extensive experience in the food and beverage manufacturing industry, Mr. Scott’s tenure in the industry spans a range of operational roles from multi-site plant management to most recently chief operating officer at Charcuterie Artisans where he was a key member of the executive leadership team directly contributing to shaping the organizational strategy.
In his role as chief operating officer – manufacturing, Mr. Scott will lead all operational areas of the business including production, planning, quality, supply chain, engineering, sanitation and distribution. He will collaborate with executive leadership at Double Good to develop, communicate and implement the strategic direction of the organization’s operations among other duties.
Starting as a single kettle retail shop on Navy Pier in 1998, Double Good is a gourmet popcorn manufacturer with an industry-leading virtual fundraising platform for both non- and for-profit organizations. Teams and organizations can sell the popcorn virtually via link sharing and keep 50 percent of every dollar in sales, any sales directly through the website without any fundraising effort connected to it, Double Good provides 50 percent of the revenue to their foundation Double Good Kids – a 501(c)(3) dedicated to providing equitable experiences for children with special needs.
Seasoned Search Consultants
Founded in 1981, Kincannon & Reed serves clients throughout the world from locations in the Americas, Europe, and Asia-Pacific. The firm is based in Arlington, VA. Kincannon & Reed’s mission is: “We recruit leaders for organizations that feed the world and keep it healthy.”
Related: Kincannon & Reed Recruits President and COO for Clarkson Grain Company
Mr. Izenstark focuses on recruitment of senior roles across all segments within the food industry, specializing in health and wellness and plant-based products. His 30-year career includes marketing leadership positions for companies such as Nestlé USA, Nestlé Waters, Dole Food Company, Kraft Foods, the California Avocado Commission, IHOP, and California Pizza Kitchen.
Ms. Bretz concentrates on the CPG, food, food & beverage, food & CPG, and food & ingredients sectors. Her extensive search portfolio spans a range of functional roles, demonstrating her expertise in identifying and securing top talent in the food and beverage industry, particularly in the food manufacturing (CPG), ingredients, flavors and capital equipment sectors.
Kincannon & Reed Recruits CEO for Highline Mushrooms
Kincannon & Reed recently placed Jose Cambon as the new CEO of Highline Mushrooms. “Jose is an ambitious, driven leader who enjoys a challenge,” said Janet Wightman, managing partner. “He is a strategic thinker with an impressive track record of building innovative teams that deliver results.” Mr. Cambon joins the company with more than two decades of experience, with the past 10 years in the mushroom sector in Australia. Prior to joining Highline Mushrooms, he held a series of progressively senior roles with Costa Group over the past decade. Most recently, he was GM of Vertical Farming.
Ms. Johnson focuses on the food & beverage, food distribution & retail, and food safety industries. She has expertise working with clients seeking general managers, presidents, and CEOs, as well as senior functional executives in marketing, sales, finance, business development, R&D, and food safety.
Recent Search
Kincannon & Reed has helped to recruit Jeff Blackwood as vice president of government relations at CropLife America in Arlington, VA. Principals Heinrich Gugger and Stephen Coffey led the assignment. “The CropLife America board of directors is pleased to welcome Jeff Blackwood as the next head of government relations at the association,” said Andy Lee, chairman of the board and president and CEO, Valent North America. “Jeff’s previous experience will be invaluable as he joins CropLife America, expands and builds the team, and proactively addresses both opportunities and challenges facing the agricultural industry.”
“We look forward to Jeff joining the CropLife America team,” said Alexandra Dunn, president and CEO. “His years of engagement across the industry and with staff at CropLife America will be an asset as we move into this election season and beyond. The expertise he brings will be beneficial as he advocates for the issues important to our members.”
Related: Kincannon & Reed Recruits President and CEO for CropLife America
Contributed by Scott A. Scanlon, Editor-in-Chief and Dale M. Zupsansky, Executive Editor – Hunt Scanlon Media
