Central Garden & Pet Appoints Timothy Cofer as CEO

Central Garden & Pet Company (“Central” or the “Company”) (NASDAQ:CENT) (NASDAQ:CENTA), a leading innovator, producer and distributor of branded and private label products for the lawn & garden and pet supplies markets, said today that its Board of Directors has appointed Timothy (“Tim”) Cofer as Chief Executive Officer, effective October 14, 2019. Mr. Cofer will also join the Company’s Board of Directors. Mr. Cofer succeeds George Roeth, who, as previously announced, will retire from his management and Board positions at the end of the Company’s fiscal year on September 28, 2019. The Company also announced that its Founder and Former CEO, Bill Brown, has been re-appointed Chairman of its Board of Directors. Mr. Brown succeeds Brooks M. (“Sonny”) Pennington III, who will remain on the Board.

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Timothy Cofer appointed Central Garden & Pet Chief Executive Officer (Photo: Business Wire)

“We are pleased to welcome Tim, one of the most accomplished executives in the consumer products industry, to the Central team and are confident he is the right leader to move Central forward,” said Mr. Pennington. “With an extensive track record of growing consumer products businesses both organically and through acquisitions, Tim has proven himself a distinguished leader throughout his multi-faceted career. His ability to deliver value across many aspects of an organization gives the Board the utmost confidence that he and the team will continue our positive momentum and drive profitable growth in the years ahead.”

Mr. Pennington continued, “We are grateful to George for his outstanding service as CEO, President, and a member of our board, during which time Central has evolved into a larger, stronger and more diverse company that is growing sustainably. Under George’s leadership, Central today is well-positioned to build on its achievements of the last several years. The Board and I thank him for his many contributions to the success of Central and wish him well.”

“It is an incredible privilege to join Central, a leader in the pet and lawn & garden industries, at such an opportune time for the Company,” said Mr. Cofer. “Central is at an inflection point, with significant opportunities to grow in a number of different ways. I look forward to working closely with its group of highly capable employees to continue moving Central forward, realizing its significant potential and enhancing its value for all of Central’s stakeholders.”