Hain Celestial makes new appointments

Lake Success-based Hain Celestial announced last Wednesday three appointments to top positions at its United States branch of operations.
A former president and chief executive officer of Nestlé Infant Nutrition North America, Gary W. Tickle, who was responsible for the Gerber and Nestlé brands, will serve as chief operating officer for the organic and natural product supplier.
Jerome W. Erskin was appointed as United States’ chief supply chain officer and James F. G. Fay was appointed as the branch’s chief customer officer.
Erskin is a former vice president of operations at Chobani LLC and most recently served as chief operating officer at SK Food Group Inc., according to Hain Celestial.
Fay most recently served as senior vice president of global sales for Nature’s Path Foods.
“We are very pleased to announce the appointment of these seasoned consumer packaged foods industry executives,’’ said Irwin D. Simon, Hain Celestial’s founder, president and chief executive officer. “They further strengthen our worldwide leadership team and their future contributions will be invaluable as Hain Celestial grows to the next level internationally with the strength of our diversified portfolio of organic, natural and better-for-you brands.”
Hain Celestial’s audit committee last month released the results of an independent review of its financial reporting after it received a delisting notice from the Nasdaq Stock Market.
The company said it previously reported revenue when it shipped products to distributors rather than reporting it when the products were sold, and because of this would delay releasing its fourth quarter and 2016 fiscal year financial reports.
The independent review found no evidence of wrongdoing in connection with the company’s financial statements and it has begun implementing a “remediation plan” to strengthen its internal controls and organization, Hain Celestial said.
The company’s senior vice president of corporate relations, Mary Celeste Anthes, told Newsday that the company’s appointments were unrelated to the financial review.
“These appointments were related to the strategic business review, which began earlier in the year,” Anthes said.
Tickle will oversee sales and marketing functions for the “Better-for-You Snacking” and “Better-for-You Pantry” brands in the United States, the company said.
Erskin will oversee the company’s supply chain and productivity, Hain Celestial said, while Fay will oversee consumer and customer analytics and trade marketing, as well as marketing for “Better-for-You Baby.”
Nasdaq granted Hain Celestial an extension until Feb. 27 to file its financial reports.
The company said it would make an announcement when it is expected to release the reports.