Whole Earth Brands, Inc. (the “Company”) (Nasdaq: FREE), a global
food company enabling healthier lifestyles, today announced that
Andy Rusie, the Company’s Chief Financial Officer, will resign from
the position effective October 8, 2021 in order to pursue other
business interests outside the CPG industry.
Albert Manzone, Chief Executive Officer of Whole
Earth Brands, stated, "On behalf of the Board and our entire team,
I want to thank Andy for his significant contributions to Whole
Earth Brands and wish him well in his future endeavors. Andy has
played an important role in building the infrastructure to support
the Company’s public company readiness and financial analysis and
reporting capabilities. Andy leaves the Company with a strong
financial reporting foundation with a team of talented and capable
finance and accounting professionals. We are confident in executing
our business strategy and in our long-term outlook.”
Andy Rusie commented, "It has been an honor to
serve as CFO of Whole Earth Brands over the past two years. I have
great confidence in the Company’s finance team and its strategy as
it continues to build a portfolio of leading better-for-you brands.
I wish everyone at Whole Earth Brands continued success.”
Brian Litman, the Company’s Corporate Controller
since June of 2020, will be appointed as Chief Accounting Officer
of the Company and will be responsible for overseeing the Company’s
financial reporting until a new Chief Financial Officer is
identified. Prior to joining Whole Earth Brands, Brian spent 22
years at Tribune Media Company where he advanced through roles of
increasing responsibility, including his final role as
SVP/Controller & Chief Accounting Officer. Brian began his
career with Deloitte. In the interim, he will work with Whole Earth
Brand’s finance team to support the Company’s growth strategy.
Whole Earth Brands has commenced a comprehensive
global search for a Chief Financial Officer, with a focus on
candidates that have a demonstrated track record of leadership,
requisite public company financial reporting expertise and driving
business growth.
About Whole Earth Brands
Whole Earth Brands is a global food company
enabling healthier lifestyles and providing access to premium
plant-based sweeteners, flavor enhancers and other foods through
our diverse portfolio of trusted brands and delicious products,
including Whole Earth Sweetener®, Wholesome®, Swerve®, Pure Via®,
Equal® and Canderel®. With food playing a central role in people’s
health and wellness, Whole Earth Brands’ innovative product
pipeline addresses the growing consumer demand for more dietary
options, baking ingredients and taste profiles. Our world-class
global distribution network is the largest provider of plant-based
sweeteners in more than 100 countries with a vision to expand our
portfolio to responsibly meet local preferences. We are committed
to helping people enjoy life’s everyday moments and the
celebrations that bring us together. For more information on how we
“Open a World of Goodness®,” please visit
www.WholeEarthBrands.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking
statements (including within the meaning of the Private Securities
Litigation Reform Act of 1995) concerning Whole Earth Brands, Inc.
and other matters. These statements may discuss goals, intentions
and expectations as to future plans, trends, events, results of
operations or financial condition, or otherwise, based on current
beliefs of management, as well as assumptions made by, and
information currently available to, management.
Forward-looking statements may be accompanied by
words such as “achieve,” “aim,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “can,”
“continue,” “could,” “drive,” “estimate,” “expect,” “forecast,”
“future,” “guidance,” “grow,” “improve,” “increase,” “intend,”
“may,” “outlook,” “plan,” “possible,” “potential,” “predict,”
“project,” “should,” “target,” “will,” “would,” or similar words,
phrases or expressions. Examples of such forward-looking statements
include, but are not limited to, the statements of Messrs. Manzone
and Rusie, and the ability of the Company to achieve its growth
strategy. Factors that could cause actual results to differ
materially from those in the forward-looking statements include,
but are not limited to, the Company’s ability to integrate
Wholesome and Swerve and achieve the anticipated benefits of the
transaction in a timely manner or at all; the extent of the impact
of the COVID-19 pandemic, including the duration, spread, severity,
and any recurrence of the COVID-19 pandemic, the duration and scope
of related government orders and restrictions, the impact on our
employees, and the extent of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on
overall demand for the Company’s products; local, regional,
national, and international economic conditions that have
deteriorated as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, including the
risks of a global recession or a recession in one or more of the
Company’s key markets, and the impact they may have on the Company
and its customers and management’s assessment of that impact;
extensive and evolving government regulations that impact the way
the Company operates; and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on
the Company’s suppliers, including disruptions and inefficiencies
in the supply chain.
These forward-looking statements are subject to
risks, uncertainties and other factors, many of which are outside
of the Company’s control, which could cause actual results to
differ materially from the results contemplated by the
forward-looking statements. These statements are subject to the
risks and uncertainties indicated from time to time in the
documents the Company files (or furnishes) with the U.S. Securities
and Exchange Commission.
You are cautioned not to place undue reliance
upon any forward-looking statements, which are based only on
information currently available to the Company and speak only as of
the date made. The Company undertakes no commitment to publicly
update or revise the forward-looking statements, whether written or
oral that may be made from time to time, whether as a result of new
information, future events or otherwise, except as required by
law.
Contacts:
Investor Relations Contacts:Whole Earth
Brands312-840-5001investor@wholeearthbrands.com
ICRJeff Sonnek646-277-1263jeff.sonnek@icrinc.com
Media Relations Contact:WyecommPenny
Kozakos202-390-4409Penny.Kozakos@wyecomm.com
Whole Earth Brands (NASDAQ:FREE)
Historical Stock Chart
From Jul 2024 to Jul 2024
Whole Earth Brands (NASDAQ:FREE)
Historical Stock Chart
From Jul 2023 to Jul 2024