U.S – FoodChain ID, a prominent organization specializing in food safety, testing, and sustainability, has announced the appointment of Conor Kearney as the new CEO, effective immediately.
Kearney assumes the role following the passing of Brad Riemenapp, who led FoodChain ID for over five years before his unfortunate demise in May after battling cancer.
Kearney brings extensive experience and expertise to his new position, having served as Interim CEO during Riemenapp’s medical leave of absence and holding key leadership roles within the company.
Conor Kearney’s background
Kearney joined FoodChain ID in 2021 and most recently held the position of Senior Vice President of Strategy and Operations.
Before joining the company, he amassed 11 years of leadership experience at Staples Inc., including the management of a multi-billion product division.
Additionally, Kearney spent five years at McKinsey & Company, a global management consulting firm. He holds an MBA from Harvard Business School and a bachelor’s degree in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from Dartmouth College.
Continuing the vision
The appointment of Conor Kearney as CEO ensures continuity and builds upon Brad Riemenapp’s visionary leadership.
Kearney acknowledges the mentorship and guidance he received from Riemenapp and is committed to advancing FoodChain ID’s mission of improving food safety and transparency within the food supply chain.
Kearney’s collaborative leadership style and track record of achieving organizational goals, according to Ted Rainaud, Managing Director at Berkshire Partners, make him well-suited to lead FoodChain ID into its next phase of growth.
He expressed confidence in Kearney’s capabilities and praised his significant contributions to FoodChain ID.
Rainaud believes Kearney’s leadership will be instrumental in driving the organization’s growth journey.
“Conor has already had a significant impact on FoodChain ID. His collaborative leadership style and ability to rally the organization to achieve its goals make him the absolute right person to lead FoodChain ID in the next stage of its growth journey,” he said.
Similarly, Blake Gottesman, Managing Director at Berkshire Partners, emphasized Riemenapp’s legacy as a leader and friend while expressing optimism about the future of FoodChain ID under Kearney’s guidance.
“Brad will be missed, as a leader and friend. We are fortunate that his strengths as CEO included recruiting a great leadership team and thoughtful succession planning.
“We are excited about FoodChain ID continuing to reshape the food safety and compliance landscape under Conor’s leadership,” said Blake Gottesman, Managing Director at Berkshire Partners.
FoodChain ID became a part of Berkshire Partners through an acquisition in 2020 as part of a recapitalization transaction.
Berkshire Partners, a leading investment firm, recognized the strengths of FoodChain ID under Riemenapp’s leadership and facilitated a thoughtful succession plan to ensure the company’s continued growth.
The partnership between FoodChain ID and Berkshire Partners aims to reshape the food safety and compliance landscape.
For all the latest food safety news from Africa and the World, subscribe to our NEWSLETTER, follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn, like us on Facebook and subscribe to our YouTube channel.
