Clear Springs Foods, the world's largest producer of farmed rainbow trout, has announced the retirement of longtime president and CEO Larry Cope and the promotion of Kurt Myers to those two positions.
Cope, who has been with the company for 44 years, will retire as an employee, but will continue to serve as a member of the board of directors and as a strategic advisor to Myers. The transition will take place on 1 March. In addition, Jeff Jermunson has been promoted to chief operating officer.
Buhl, Idaho-based Clear Springs Foods produces more than 20 million pounds of freshwater rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) annually. Founded in 1966, the vertically integrated company became employee-owned in 2000. Clear Springs’ variety of fresh and frozen rainbow trout products includes its Clear-Cut Natural and Butterfly boneless fillets, marketed and sold to a variety of customers in the retail, foodservice, and club store channels throughout North America.
Myers joined Clear Springs Foods approximately three years ago as vice president of marketing. He was promoted to executive vice president of sales, marketing, and global supply chain development in 2016.
“[Kurt] is a strategic thinker and has an excellent grasp of the food industry,” Cope said. “Kurt will work closely with the employees and as a member of the Board of Directors to assure that Clear Springs continues to provide excellent products and service to our customers.”
Jeff Jermunson will be elevated to COO effective 1 March, 2018 when he will assume “full responsibility for leading the day-to-day operations of the business of in accordance with the strategic plan and operating and capital budgets,” the company said in its announcement.
Jeff joined Clear Springs Foods approximately 11 years ago, bringing 18 years of experience working in the food industry in operational roles.
“He is an excellent operational leader who has advanced our corporation in many ways over his time with us. He is also a strategic thinker and has an excellent grasp of the food industry,” Cope said. “Jeff will work closely with Kurt and employees to assure that Clear Springs continues to be a leader in the food business.”
Clear Springs Foods Board of Directors Chairman Skip Oppenheimer thanked Cope for his service to the company.
“We deeply appreciate Larry Cope’s outstanding leadership and dedication to the company during his 44 years of service and for the many accomplishments and milestones achieved during his tenure,” Oppenheimer said.
