Maple Ridge, British Columbia, Canada-based insect-protein provider Enterra has hired a former executive with The J.M. Smucker Company as its new CEO.
Founded in 2007, Enterra is engaged in commercial-scale insect production, serving the pet food, aquaculture, and animal nutrition segments.
In a press release, the company said it had hired Dave Lemmon, who most recently served as the president of pet food and pet snacks at The J.M. Smucker Company, a consumer packaged goods (CPG) firm based in Orrville, Ohio, U.S.A., as its new CEO. Enterra also announced that Jerry A. Vergeer, a longtime executive in the global animal nutrition and health industry, has been elevated to the role of chairman of the company’s board.
Vergeer said Lemmon’s experience “leading transformational change and driving accelerated growth through innovation and building business processes” will provide “the ideal fit to support the rapid growth of the business as it further defines the market for insect protein.”
"We are pleased to have Dave lead our organization and its purpose to harness the power of insects to feed and care for the world,” Vergeer said. “He brings a wealth of experience to ensure we continue to evolve and transform the business to best serve our customers."
Lemmon said his plan for the company includes entering new markets.
"I am very excited to join the Enterra team and to be part of a truly purpose-led organization,” he said. “The success and culture that has been built is a true testament to the hard work and dedication of the team. I look forward to building on the company's momentum and to bringing my commercial expertise as Enterra prepares for its next phase: accelerated growth."
The insect-protein industry has scaled production in recent years, and a growing number of new ventures have moved into the space.
Photo courtesy of Enterra
