OAK BROOK, ILL. — Christopher D. Sliva, senior vice-president of TreeHouse Foods and chief operating officer of the company’s Bay Valley Foods operating unit, has been promoted to executive vice-president of TreeHouse Foods and president of Bay Valley Foods.
Mr. Sliva joined TreeHouse Foods in July 2012 after a career with several consumer packaged goods companies, including Dean Foods, Procter & Gamble, Eastman Kodak and Ft. James Corp.
“We are excited to have an executive of Chris’ caliber and experience leading the operations of the organization,” said Sam K. Reed, chairman, president and chief executive officer. “In the short time that Chris has been with us, he has established himself as a strong operational leader at Bay Valley Foods and has gained the confidence and respect of our entire company.”
Bay Valley Foods provides private label foods and food service goods in North America. The company’s products include pickles, relish, non-dairy coffee creamers, salad dressings, marinades and BBQ sauces, cheese sauces, puddings, soups, salsa and picante, egg substitutes, and special sauces.
TreeHouse also announced it has appointed Harry J. Walsh to a newly created role of executive vice-president of acquisitions integration for TreeHouse Foods. Mr. Walsh most recently was executive vice-president of TreeHouse Foods and president of Bay Valley Foods.
Mr. Walsh joined TreeHouse Foods in January 2005 and is one of the company’s founders. Prior to that, he held senior management positions at Keebler Foods Co., Bake-Line Products, Sunshine Biscuits, G.F. Industries and Granny Goose Foods. Before entering the food industry, Mr. Walsh was an accountant with Arthur Andersen & Co.
“Since 2008, Harry has been instrumental in driving substantial growth in both revenue and profitability for Bay Valley Foods,” Mr. Reed said. “Under his leadership, we have made a number of acquisitions that have greatly expanded the scope of the company, and we believe he is ideally suited to continue broadening TreeHouse into new categories and markets. Harry will continue to work out of Oak Brook, but will serve as the company’s on-site leader for newly acquired companies.”
Mr. Reed continued, “Both Chris and Harry are key leaders of our TreeHouse organization. As we enter the next phase of our growth and development, they will be integral to both our organic and acquisition-driven growth strategy.”