Mary's Gone Crackers Names UNFI Exec to Board
DAYVILLE, Conn. -- Mary's Gone Crackers, a Gridley, Calif.-based manufacturer of gourmet gluten-free foods, has appointed Richard "Rick" Antonelli, e.v.p., c.o.o., and president of distribution for United Natural Foods, Inc. (UNFI) here, to its board of directors. Mary's Gone Crackers elected Antonelli as part of an aggressive growth strategy slated for 2008, which also includes adding executive and field level management positions.
"We've worked hard to ensure Mary's Gone Crackers remains a unique company with authentic and innovative products, and focusing on building a world-class team to help us support this vision is essential to our success," said Dale Rodrigues, president and c.e.o. of Mary's Gone Crackers, in a statement. "When Rick expressed an interest in joining our team as a director, we all knew he would be a perfect fit. Rick's knowledge of and experience in the natural foods industry will provide a unique layer of insight and vision for our board."
Antonelli has served in a variety of roles at UNFI, the leading U.S. wholesale distributor to the natural and organic foods industry, since it began in 1996. Before joining UNFI, he was director of sales for Cornucopia Natural Foods, the company's predecessor. Antonelli worked on the manufacturing side of the natural foods industry as co-founder and president of Fairfield Farm Kitchens.
"My role at UNFI gives me significant insight into emerging brands and industry trends," noted Antonelli, adding that he hoped to help Mary's Gone Crackers "build on their brand and growth strategy."
Another recent appointee to the company's board is Paul Repetto, a partner of Greenmont Capital, who was previously a co-founder and director of Horizon Natural Foods and was also served president of Westbrae Foods. Mary's Gone Crackers has additionally hired Michael Quinn as v.p. of sales. Quinn joins the company from Kellogg, where he was v.p. of sales for Kashi. He also served on the board of directors for the Natural Nutritional Foods Association (NNFA) from 1987 to 2006 and owned two health food stores from 1983 to 1995.
"We've worked hard to ensure Mary's Gone Crackers remains a unique company with authentic and innovative products, and focusing on building a world-class team to help us support this vision is essential to our success," said Dale Rodrigues, president and c.e.o. of Mary's Gone Crackers, in a statement. "When Rick expressed an interest in joining our team as a director, we all knew he would be a perfect fit. Rick's knowledge of and experience in the natural foods industry will provide a unique layer of insight and vision for our board."
Antonelli has served in a variety of roles at UNFI, the leading U.S. wholesale distributor to the natural and organic foods industry, since it began in 1996. Before joining UNFI, he was director of sales for Cornucopia Natural Foods, the company's predecessor. Antonelli worked on the manufacturing side of the natural foods industry as co-founder and president of Fairfield Farm Kitchens.
"My role at UNFI gives me significant insight into emerging brands and industry trends," noted Antonelli, adding that he hoped to help Mary's Gone Crackers "build on their brand and growth strategy."
Another recent appointee to the company's board is Paul Repetto, a partner of Greenmont Capital, who was previously a co-founder and director of Horizon Natural Foods and was also served president of Westbrae Foods. Mary's Gone Crackers has additionally hired Michael Quinn as v.p. of sales. Quinn joins the company from Kellogg, where he was v.p. of sales for Kashi. He also served on the board of directors for the Natural Nutritional Foods Association (NNFA) from 1987 to 2006 and owned two health food stores from 1983 to 1995.