Nielsen-Massey Names Kirk Trofholz CEO

Waukegan, Ill (March 9, 2017)— Kirk Trofholz has been named Chief Executive Officer of Nielsen-Massey, it was announced today by the company’s Board of Directors. Mr. Trofholz joins the company from Dawn Food Products, where he was previously President, US Bakery Products. Prior to that he served as President and CEO of Barilla North America. Mr. Trofholz began his career at Procter & Gamble where he spent more than two decades.

Kirk Trofholz, CEO of Nielsen-Massey Vanillas

“The entire Board of Directors and senior leadership team are thrilled to have someone with Kirk’s deep food industry experience join our company,” said Shep Pryor, Chairman of the Nielsen-Massey Board. “As one of the world’s leading manufacturers of fine vanillas and natural flavors, we are proud of our heritage as a 110-year-old family owned company. Kirk’s extensive career experience encompassing both large public companies such as P&G, as well as successful family companies such as Barilla and Dawn Foods Products -- makes him the ideal CEO for Nielsen-Massey as we pursue the next phase of growth.”

“I’m pleased to have the opportunity to lead Nielsen-Massey,” said Mr. Trofholz. “We see tremendous prospects to leverage the exceptional Nielsen-Massey brand and reputation as one of the world’s leading manufacturers of fine quality vanilla products and flavor extracts to advance our global growth strategy.”

The selection of an outside CEO is consistent with the Nielsen family’s strategy to accelerate the company’s growth and sustainability, while also maintaining its legacy as a 110-year-old family-owned business. Concurrent with the announcement of a new CEO, Nielsen family members within the company will continue in their leadership roles, including:

• Craig Nielsen will be heading up Sustainability initiatives;
• Matt Nielsen will lead Operations; and,
• Beth Nielsen will lead Research & Development and Chef Relations.

About Nielsen-Massey
Throughout its 110-year history, Nielsen-Massey has earned its reputation as a manufacturer of the finest extracts in the world. The full line of Nielsen-Massey’s Pure Vanilla products includes: Vanilla Beans and Extracts from Madagascar, Tahiti and Mexico; sugar and alcohol-free Madagascar Bourbon Pure Vanilla Powder; Madagascar Bourbon Pure Vanilla Bean Paste; Madagascar Bourbon Pure Vanilla Sugar, Alcohol Free Madagascar Pure Vanilla, Organic Fairtrade Madagascar Bourbon Pure Vanilla Extract and Organic Madagascar Bourbon Pure Vanilla Beans. Nielsen-Massey Fairtrade products are certified by FLO-CERT.

Nielsen-Massey also offers a full line of Pure Flavors: Pure Chocolate Extract, Pure Almond Extract, Pure Orange Extract, Pure Lemon Extract, Pure Coffee Extract, Pure Peppermint Extract, Orange Blossom Water and Rose Water. All Nielsen-Massey products are All-Natural, Allergen-Free, GMO-Free, and certified Kosher and Gluten-Free. The company is headquartered in Waukegan, Illinois, with production facilities in Waukegan and Leeuwarden, The Netherlands.

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For more information, contact: Gardi Wilks, gardi@wilksgrp.com, 708-205-5020, or 708-434-5006 or Stephie Predmore, stephie@wilksgrp.com, 309-264-2281

Photo available upon request.