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New Hickory Farms CEO boasts retail legacy

Holiday food gift retailer Hickory Farms has named a new CEO and president with a long legacy in retail leadership roles.

March 23, 2016

Holiday food gift retailer Hickory Farms has named a new CEO and president with a long legacy in retail leadership roles.

Diane Pearse is taking the reins from Mark S. Rodriguez, who served as CEO since October 2007.

"It is truly an honor to join the Hickory Farms team," Pearse said in an announcement. "I am excited about the great future we have ahead of us as we grow this great brand and build on its tremendous foundation."

Pearse boasts more than 35 years of experience in financial management, operations and leadership roles with consumer product and retail companies. Her most recent role was a COO and executive VP at Garrett Brands since May 2015. Previously, Pearse held the position of senior VP of operations and merchandising for Redbox, where she was responsible for leading the company's field operations, technical support center, inventory and logistics function and strategy and analytics team. From 2001 to 2010 she served as CFO of Crate & Barrel, the home furnishings specialty retailer.

"Diane's proven track record of data-driven business growth and innovation, and her extensive and diverse leadership experience with consumer brands makes her the perfect candidate to lead Hickory Farms," said David Veenstra, Hickory Farms board member, in the announcement. "We are thrilled to welcome Diane and have every confidence she will build upon Hickory Farms' many successes, and continue to grow the brand in an impactful way."