Central Garden & Pet reshuffles management structure

Central Garden & Pet Company has made a couple executive appointments. Effective immediately, J.D. Walker has been tapped to lead the Garden segment, with Dan Pennington leading the wild bird and private label business. Both will report to EVP Michael Reed.

Central Garden & Pet Company has made a couple executive appointments. Effective immediately, J.D. Walker has been tapped to lead the Garden segment, with Dan Pennington leading the wild bird and private label business. Both will report to EVP Michael Reed.

“I am pleased with the appointments of J.D. and Dan to lead their respective commercial areas of the Garden business and the return of Mike to his leadership role for our Garden segment,” said president and CEO John Ranelli. “I believe this is a winning combination of leadership and experience. Mike, J.D. and Dan are experts in their fields, and together with their knowledge of Central, we fully expect a seamless transition. I look forward to working collaboratively with the Garden team to create value for our customers, employees and shareholders.”

In his new role, Walker will be responsible for sales, marketing, innovation, control products, grass seed products, decor products, retail sales and service within the Garden business. Pennington will be charged with overseeing the wild bird business within the Garden segment, as well as Central Garden & Pet's private label lawn and garden business.

Walker has been with the company since 2011 and has 33 years of experience in consumer packaged goods, including 16 years in garden products. His resume includes stints at Duracell, Gillette and Spectrum.

Pennington hails from Pennington Seed, where he has worked for 32 years in virtually every aspect of the business.