Board of Directors

Gary D. Smith, age 78, has served as a Director since June 6, 2005 and as Chairman of the Board since July 1, 2018. Mr. Smith is currently a partner at Encore Consumer Capital. From 2005 to 2019, Mr. Smith was Founding Managing Director of Encore Consumer Capital. From April 1995 to December 2004, Mr. Smith served as Senior Vice President - Marketing of Safeway, Inc. In addition, Mr. Smith held various management positions at Safeway, Inc. from 1961 to 1995. In addition to our Board, Mr. Smith currently serves on or has previously served on the Board of Directors of AgriWise, Inc., Altierre Corporation, Philly’s Famous Water Ice, Inc., The Winery Exchange, Inc., Supply Chain Systems Ltd., FreshKO Produce Services, Inc., Aidell’s Sausage Company, Inc., Mesa Foods, Inc., Brownie Brittle, LLC, Fantasy Cookie Company, Pint Size Distribution Co., Slingshot Power, and Pure Red, LLC.

Ashley Buchanan, 47, has served as a Director since November 2020. Mr. Buchanan currently serves as the Chief Executive Officer of The Michaels Companies, the United States’ largest arts and crafts retailer. He joined The Michaels Companies on January 6, 2020 as President and Chief Executive Officer Designate. Prior to joining The Michaels Companies, Mr. Buchanan served in numerous roles of increasing leadership and responsibility over his 12-year career at Walmart Inc., most recently as Chief Merchant for Walmart U.S. eCommerce. He also served as the Chief Merchant at Sam’s Club where he led a merchandising team and oversaw activities including assortment, private brand strategy, pricing, global sourcing, packaging, replenishment and supply chain. Mr. Buchanan has also served in a broad set of senior merchandising roles at Walmart Inc.

Prior to his tenure at Walmart, Mr. Buchanan held a variety of positions in finance at Dell and spent five years at Accenture focused on the retail industry. He earned a Bachelor of Business Administration in finance and real estate as well as a Master of Business Administration from Baylor University.

John P. Gainor Jr., age 64, has served as a Director since March 2021. Mr. Gainor is an experienced executive and director, most recently serving as the President and Chief Executive Officer of International Dairy Queen, Inc. from 2008 until 2017 after serving as its Chief Supply Chain Officer. Mr. Gainor has longstanding experience in shipping and logistics as the former President and Co-Founder of Supply Solutions, Inc., a company that focused on designing and implementing supply chain solutions and business expansion models for major restaurant chains and consumer products companies. Mr. Gainor previously held various executive positions with Consolidated Distribution Corporation, AmeriServe Distribution Corporation and Warner Lambert Corporation. Mr. Gainor serves on the boards of directors of Bloomin’ Brands and Saia, Inc. and previously served on the board of Jack in the Box Inc.

Mr. Gainor earned his Bachelor of Science in Communication from Ohio University. Mr. Gainor is a member of the Compensation Committee of our Board of Directors.

Mark R. Hunter, age 58, has served as a Director since April 2020. Mr. Hunter most recently served as President and CEO of the Molson Coors Brewing Company from January 2015 to September 2019. From January 2013 to December 2014, he served as the President and Chief Executive Officer of Molson Coors Europe. From June 2012 to January 2013, he served as the President and Chief Executive Officer of Molson Coors Central Europe. From December 2007 to June 2012, he served as the President and Chief Executive Officer of Molson Coors UK. Prior to that, he served in various roles of increasing responsibility for Molson Coors and its predecessor, Bass Brewers, since 1989. Mr. Hunter also served as a non-executive director from 2011 to 2014 of the 2 Sisters Food Group, a leading privately-owned European private label food business. Mr. Hunter holds a Bachelor Honours degree in Marketing and Business Administration from the University of Strathclyde in Glasgow, Scotland, where he was also awarded an Honorary Doctorate in 2009. Mr. Hunter also served for two terms as President of the Incorporated Society of British Advertisers and as Vice Chairman on the International Alliance for Responsible Drinking. Mr. Hunter is a member of the Audit Committee of our Board of Directors.

Linda K. Massman, 54, was elected to the TreeHouse Board of Directors on July 28, 2016. Ms. Massman was the President and Chief Executive Officer of Clearwater Paper Corporation from 2013 until her retirement on April 1, 2020. Previously, Ms. Massman served as Clearwater Paper’s President and Chief Operating Officer from 2011-2013. Prior to that, Ms. Massman served as Clearwater Paper’s Chief Financial Officer from 2008 to 2011. Before joining Clearwater Paper, Ms. Massman served as group vice president of finance and corporate planning for SUPERVALU Inc., following its acquisition of Albertson's Inc, where she served in a similar capacity. Prior to that, Ms. Massman was a business strategy consultant for Accenture.

Ms. Massman serves on the Board of Directors of Clearwater Paper Corporation. In 2016, she became the first vice chairwoman for the American Forest & Paper Association and in 2017, she was the chairwoman for the American Forest & Paper Association. She earned her Bachelor of Business Administration in finance from the University of North Dakota and holds an MBA from Harvard Business School. Ms. Massman is the Chairman of the Audit Committee and a member of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee of our Board of Directors.

Steven Oakland, age 60, has served as a Director since March 2, 2018 and was appointed to serve as our Chief Executive Officer and President, effective March 26, 2018. Mr. Oakland has served as Vice Chair and President, U.S. Food and Beverage of The J.M. Smucker Company (“Smucker’s”) (NYSE: SJM), a manufacturer of branded food products, since May 2016. He previously served as President, Coffee and Foodservice of Smucker’s from April 2015 to April 2016; President, International Food Service of Smucker’s from May 2011 to March 2015; and President, U.S. Retail-Smucker’s Jif, and Hungry Jack from August 2008 to May 2011. Mr. Oakland has spent most of his career at Smucker’s, serving in increasingly senior positions, including General Manager of Smucker’s Canadian operations from 1995 to 1999.

Mr. Oakland currently serves on the board of directors of Foot Locker, Inc. (NYSE: FL), an athletic footwear and apparel retailer, Foster Farms, a privately held poultry company, and MTD Products Corporation, a privately-held outdoor products manufacturer. Mr. Oakland earned his B.A in Marketing and Economics from the University of Mount Union.

Frank J. O’Connell, age 77, has served as a Director since June 2005. Mr. O'Connell currently serves as the General Partner of the Quincy Investment Pools LP, is a co-founder of Tuckerman Capital, a private equity firm, and is Chairman of the Board of King Arthur Flour. Mr. O’Connell previously served as a senior partner of The Parthenon Group from June 2004 until May 2012. From November 2000 to June 2002, Mr. O’Connell served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Indian Motorcycle Corporation. From June 2002 to May 2004, Mr. O’Connell served as Chairman of Indian Motorcycle Corporation. Prior to Indian Motorcycle Corporation, from 1996 to 2000, Mr. O’Connell served as Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Gibson Greetings, Inc. From 1991 to 1995, Mr. O’Connell served as President and Chief Operating Officer of Skybox International. Mr. O’Connell has previously served as President of Reebok Brands, North America, President of HBO Video and Senior Vice President of Mattel’s Electronics Division. Mr. O’Connell is the Non-Executive Chairman of Schylling Inc., a private company.

Mr. O’Connell holds a B.A. and an M.B.A. from Cornell University. Mr. O'Connell is the Chairman of the Nominating & Corporate Governance Committee and a member of the Audit Committee of our Board of Directors.

Jill A. Rahman, 60, has served as a Director since November 2020. Ms. Rahman currently serves as Chief Operating Officer for the Greater Chicago Food Depository, which includes a network of more than 700 partner organizations which work together to bring food, dignity, and hope across Chicago, and she leads Operations, Finance, IT, Human Resources and Strategic Initiatives. Ms. Rahman has more than 30 years of experience in the consumer-packaged goods industry at companies including The Kraft Heinz Company, Newell Brands, and Conagra Brands. She most recently served as the President of the International division at Conagra Brands from 2016 until her retirement in June 2020.

From 2016 – 2020, Ms. Rahman served on the Board of Directors as Chairman for Agro Tech Foods, a publicly traded affiliate of Conagra Brands in India. Ms. Rahman currently serves on the Board of Directors for Berry Global, Inc. She earned her Bachelor of Business Administration from Howard University and her Master of Business Administration from Indiana University.

Matthew E. Rubel, age 63, was elected as a Director on February 21, 2018. Mr. Rubel most recently served as the Chief Executive Officer of Varsity Brands. He currently serves as Executive Chairman of the Board at KidKraft, Inc. and as the Lead Independent Director of The Joint Corporation. He is also an Independent Director at Hudson's Bay Company. In 2010, Mr. Rubel became a Presidential Appointee to the White House Advisory Council on Trade Policy Negotiation. Mr. Rubel is the Chairman of MidOcean Partners Private Equity Consumer Group. Mr. Rubel has extensive private equity, as well as executive experience. He has served as a Senior Advisor to both TPG Capital, L.P. and TPG Growth, as well as Roark Capital Group. Prior to his advisory roles, Mr. Rubel served as Chief Executive Officer and President of Collective Brands, Inc. from 2005 to 2011, including his time as Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, and President of Payless Inc. which saw the acquisition of brands including Sperry Topsider, Saucony, Stride Rite and Keds. From February 1999 to July 2005, he served as the Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President of Cole Haan. Mr. Rubel has been an executive and director of numerous multi-national retail and consumer branded companies, including Supervalu from 2010 to 2016 and HSNi from 2012 to 2017.

Mr. Rubel earned his Bachelor of Science degree in journalism from Ohio University and holds an MBA from the University of Miami. Mr. Rubel is a member of the Audit and Compensation Committees of our Board of Directors..

Ann M. Sardini, age 71, has served as a Director since May 2008. Ms. Sardini is currently an independent advisor and consultant to early and mid-stage companies and private equity firms through In Progress Advisors, which she founded in 2013 to provide client companies with strategic and practical guidance in crafting successful growth, M&A, capital structuring and exit strategies. From April 2001 to June 2012, Ms. Sardini served as the Chief Financial Officer of Weight Watchers International, Inc. From September 1999 to December 2001, she served as Chief Financial Officer of Vitamin Shoppe.com, Inc., a seller of vitamins and nutritional supplements, and from March 1995 to August 1999, she served as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer for the Children’s Television Workshop. In addition, Ms. Sardini previously held finance positions at QVC, Inc., Chris Craft Industries, and the National Broadcasting Company. In addition to our Board, Ms. Sardini currently serves on the board of directors, and chairs the audit committee, of Pier 1 Imports, Inc. (NYSE: PIR), a home goods retailer, and serves as chairperson of the board and of the Audit Committee of Ideal Protein, a subscription-based weight-loss company for doctors’ offices. Ms. Sardini also currently serves on the advisory boards of To The Market, PetTrax, and EverPlans. Previously, Ms. Sardini served on the boards of directors for Promise Project Fund for the City of New York, Weight Watchers Danone China Ltd., and Veneca Inc., and on the advisory board of Learnvest.com.

Ms. Sardini holds a B.A. from Boston College and an M.B.A from Simmons College Graduate School of Management. Ms. Sardini is the Chairman of the Compensation Committee and a member of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee of our Board.

Jean E. Spence, 63, an independent consultant, has served as a Director since September 2018. Ms. Spence was formerly Executive Vice President of Research, Development, & Quality at Mondelēz International, Inc., a global leader in biscuits, chocolate, gum, candy and powdered beverages. Prior to the 2012 spin-off transaction to form Mondelēz, Ms. Spence served in the same capacity at parent company Kraft Foods, Inc. where she was responsible for research and development which included new product innovation, improving quality and food safety on a worldwide basis, coordinating global compliance programs, scientific relations, regulatory relations, microbiology, and auditing. She has represented the food industry on the Department of Homeland Security Advisory Council, and Kraft on the International Life Sciences Institute and Junior Achievement of Chicago Boards.

Ms. Spence serves on the Supervisory Board of GEA Group AG and is Chair of the Clarkson University Board of Trustees. She earned a B.S. in Chemical Engineering from Clarkson University and a Master’s Degree in Chemical Engineering from Manhattan College. Ms. Spence is a member of the Compensation and Nominating & Corporate Governance Committees of our Board of Directors.

Kenneth I. Tuchman, age 70, has served as a Director since March 2021. Mr. Tuchman has over 35 years of experience as an investment banker and director who has worked with public and private, large and mid-cap company management teams to facilitate growth, funding and competitive positioning. Most recently, Mr. Tuchman was the Vice Chairman of the investment and corporate banking groups of Bank of Montreal Capital Markets until 2016.Previously, Mr. Tuchman served as Vice Chairman at Bank of America Merrill Lynch, where he focused on investment banking in the consumer and retail sector. Before that, he was Chairman of Global Banking for the Americas at Dresdner Kleinwort Ltd. (Wasserstein Perella Group) and spent more than 16 years at Lehman Brothers, where he was a Managing Director and Co-Head of the Global M&A Group.Mr. Tuchman has previously served on the boards of directors of Smart & Final Stores, Gordmans Stores, Parisian Department Stores and DeMoulas Supermarkets, as well as other private companies and organizations. 

Mr. Tuchman earned his Bachelor of Science in Management from The State University of New York, and his M.B.A. and J.D. degrees from the University of Pennsylvania. Mr. Tuchman is a member of the Audit Committee of our Board of Directors.

Jason J. Tyler, age 49, has served as a Director since April 2019. Mr. Tyler currently serves as Chief Financial Officer of Northern Trust Corporation. Prior to that, he served as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Northern Trust's Wealth Management business. His prior roles include serving as Global Head of Corporate Strategy for the Company and Global Head of the Institutional Group at Northern Trust Asset Management.

Mr. Tyler joined Northern Trust from Ariel Investments, where he served as Senior Vice President and Director of Research Operations. Previously, he served in various leadership roles at Bank One/American National Bank.

Mr. Tyler earned an MBA from University of Chicago Booth School of Business and an A.B. from Princeton University. He is a Director of the University of Chicago Laboratory Schools, Advance Illinois, Northwestern Memorial Healthcare Foundation, The Becker Friedman Institute, and the Joffrey Ballet where he formerly served as Chairman. Mr. Tyler is a member of the Audit and Compensation Committees of our Board of Directors.

David B. Vermylen, age 70, has served as a Director since August 2009. Mr. Vermylen was Senior Advisor to TreeHouse from July 2011 to February 2019. Mr. Vermylen held the positions of President and Chief Operating Officer for TreeHouse from January 2005 to July 2011. Prior to joining TreeHouse, Mr. Vermylen was a principal in TreeHouse, LLC, an entity unrelated to the Company that was formed to pursue investment opportunities in consumer packaged goods businesses. From March 2001 to October 2002, Mr. Vermylen served as President and CEO of Keebler Foods Company, a division of Kellogg Company. Prior to becoming CEO of Keebler, Mr. Vermylen served as the President of Keebler Brands from January 1996 to February 2001. Mr. Vermylen served as the Chairman, President and CEO of Brother’s Gourmet Coffee and Vice President of Marketing and Development and later President and CEO of Mother’s Cake and Cookie Co. His prior experience also includes three years with the Fobes Group and fourteen years with General Foods Corporation where he served in various marketing positions. In addition to our Board, Mr. Vermylen currently serves on or has previously served on the board of directors of Aeropostale, Inc., Birds Eye Foods, Inc. and Brownie Brittle LLC.

Mr. Vermylen holds a B.A. from Georgetown University and an M.B.A. from New York University.