Maine Crisp is boosting its leadership power as it named a new Chief Executive Officer. The artisanal snack producer announced that former board member Lewis Goldstein is joining the company as CEO. His robust marketing and leadership expertise in the natural and organic food sector is an ideal fit to accelerate Maine Crisp’s national expansion.
“I have always thrived on doing what people don’t expect a brand to do, and doing it in a way that makes consumers feel good, smile, and fall in love with the brand,” explained Goldstein. “I think of myself as a coach, motivating the team to dream about accomplishing more than they ever thought they could. What Karen and the team have done to date is amazing, and I am in awe of the products and company. We are going to connect the passion, hard work, and delicious products that got us here to more consumers around the country through innovation, broader distribution, and sharing our story.”
Throughout a career spanning major brands including Sam Adams, Snapple, Kiss My Face, and Organic Valley, Goldstein has gravitated toward craft, natural, and organic consumer products, inspired by his upbringing in an entrepreneurial family who prioritized healthy eating. Motivated by a passion to support consumers’ healthy lifestyles, Goldstein has built an impressive track record of branded sales growth and product innovation.
In notable posts as Executive Vice President of Marketing at Organic Valley and, earlier, as Vice President of Marketing at Kiss My Face, Goldstein drove triple-digit revenue growth, developed strategic innovation capabilities, grew brands’ emotional connections with consumers, and expanded brands into new categories and distribution channels.
“As Maine Crisp looks to expand into several product categories, we felt that it was critical to bring in a CEO with both a strong CPG background and a bold strategic vision,” stated Michael Ross, Chairman of Maine Crisp. “We are confident that under Lewis’ leadership, Maine Crisp will evolve from a specialty cracker brand to a company that offers the delicious and nutritious benefits of buckwheat in multiple exciting categories to enhance the consumer experience.”
In his first quarter as CEO, Goldstein has focused Maine Crisp on several exciting changes that will be announced in 2023. The strategic direction reflects his vision of Maine Crisp leading the movement toward buckwheat becoming the next superfood in the natural and organic sector.
Deli Market News will keep an eye on the wire for the latest changes.
