Freshpet, Inc. has announced the appointment of Nicki Baty as Chief Operating Officer (COO), effective from 1 September 2024.
Reporting directly to Chief Executive Officer Billy Cyr, Ms. Baty brings nearly 20 years of experience from Colgate-Palmolive, where she most recently served as President and General Manager of Hill’s Pet Nutrition U.S.
Ms. Baty’s expertise in driving business growth and scaling operations across international markets aligns with Freshpet’s ambitious expansion plans. Commenting on her appointment, Billy Cyr, CEO of Freshpet, said: “Freshpet is changing the pet food industry, and we intend to continue our rapid growth. Nicki brings us a proven track record of scaling a large business, a commitment to animal health and wellbeing, and broad international experience that will support our efforts to accomplish our goals.”
Scaling Freshpet’s Operations
As Freshpet continues its journey of rapid growth in the fresh pet food market, Ms. Baty’s appointment comes at a crucial time. Her background in scaling large businesses and driving transformative initiatives is seen as a valuable asset in supporting Freshpet’s ongoing expansion.
Billy Cyr highlighted the importance of Ms. Baty’s experience in areas identified as future opportunities for the company, noting that her international expertise would be key in advancing Freshpet towards becoming a multi-billion-dollar organisation. “We believe she will be a great addition to the team to help us build on our solid momentum,” added Cyr.
Co-Founder Scott Morris to Focus on Innovation
Scott Morris, President and Co-Founder of Freshpet, who played a significant role in developing the company’s original products and marketing strategies, will continue in his leadership role. Morris will be responsible for advancing the company’s product portfolio, focusing on ingredient sourcing and next-generation manufacturing technologies. His goal is to ensure that Freshpet maintains its competitive edge in the fresh pet food market over the next decade.
Morris, who has worked with Ms. Baty on industry initiatives over the past two years, expressed enthusiasm about her appointment. “My entrepreneurial skills and Nicki’s demonstrated ability to build organisational capability are an unbeatable combination,” he said. “Working together as part of the talented team we have developed will help Freshpet reach its full potential.”
Future Plans and Baty’s Role
Ms. Baty, taking on the COO role, will oversee Freshpet’s commercial and operational strategies, with her responsibilities including a focus on scaling the business and enhancing Freshpet’s commercial offerings. Until 10 May 2025, her commercial duties will be focused on the Mass, Grocery, and Club channels.
In her statement, Ms. Baty expressed her optimism for Freshpet’s future, praising the company’s pioneering role in transforming the pet food industry in the U.S. “Many households in the U.S. are now Freshpet shoppers, and I believe there is terrific runway to scale the business,” she said. Baty’s appointment is expected to strengthen Freshpet’s position in the market, continuing its transformation and growth within the pet food sector.
