Rich Products, a family-owned food company specializing in everything from cakes and icings to pizza, appetizers and specialty toppings, has announced it is passing the baton to a new generation of leaders. President and chief operating officer, US-Canada region, Ray Burke will retire December 31, 2021, followed by executive vice president and chief financial officer Jim Deuschle on March 31, 2022.

“Ray, Jim and I have known each other for most of our professional careers and I’m infinitely proud of their leadership and all they’ve done to create the position of strength Rich Products operates from today,” says Rich’s president and chief executive officer Richard Ferranti. “Their focus, discipline and vision have been critical to our ability to emerge from the pandemic with a strong global business, healthy balance sheet, diversified portfolio and aggressive growth plans.”

Kevin Spratt has been promoted to president, U.S.-Canada region and David Faturos has been promoted to executive vice president, chief financial officer. Dave Cowperthwait will join the executive team as executive vice president, chief supply chain officer, a newly created role at Rich’s.

Beyond the core executive team, Rich’s announced a number of additional leadership changes including Lauren Lopez, who has been promoted to senior vice president, foodservice division. Also, Rich’s has announced the creation of a new Transformation Office, which will be overseen by Georgia Dachille, executive vice president, chief innovation, strategy and transformation officer, and led by Kristin Alongi, who has been named vice president, business transformation. This office will be tasked with creating an organized, focused strategy and governance process around the organization’s portfolio, productivity and digital transformation initiatives.