WALNUT CREEK, CALIF. — Central Garden & Pet Company announced Chief Executive Officer Tim Cofer will be departing the company on Oct. 6. The company has appointed Beth Springer, lead independent director of the company, to interim CEO while it begins the search for a permanent replacement.
“Tim has had a significant and positive impact on Central over the last four years,” said Bill Brown, chairman of the company. “During his tenure, he established clear strategic direction and successfully navigated the pandemic, delivering record results during a challenging and volatile economic environment. He is a strong leader, and I’m sorry to see him go. At the same time, the board and I believe we have positioned Central for profitable long-term growth in the foreseeable future thanks to the Central to Home strategy and other recent initiatives. I thank Tim for his many contributions to the company and wish him success in his new position.”
Cofer has served as Central’s CEO since October 2019. He will now join Keurig Dr. Pepper, initially as chief operating officer and then as chief executive officer in 2024.
“I have enjoyed a strong and close partnership with Bill since joining Central in 2019 and am proud of all we accomplished together through a challenging environment,” Cofer said. “I am convinced that our Central to Home strategy and our ongoing cost and simplicity program will yield positive benefits well into the future. While I am confident that Central will continue to grow and succeed, the opportunity presented to me to lead Keurig Dr. Pepper is compelling and exciting, and it is the right next step for me. I am committed to ensuring the smoothest possible transition, and I wish all of the team at Central well.”
Springer has served on Central’s board since 2013 and has extensive experience in management, operations and consumer products. Prior to joining Central, she worked at The Clorox Company for more than 20 years, holding various management roles, including executive vice president and general manager. Currently, Springer serves as independent director of Amy’s Kitchen, an organic food company.
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