Clif Bar & Company announced that Sally Grimes has been named the company’s new Chief Executive Officer, effective June 1. Grimes joins Cif Bar at a pivotal time, as the company states that it is planning for its next stage of growth. As CEO, Grimes will apply her 25 years of experience as a food industry leader to Clif’s “Five Aspiration” business model, focusing on sustaining people, community, planet, brands, and business.
 
Current Clif Bar co-CEOs Gary Erickson and Kit Crawford will remain on the company’s board of directors.
 
Grimes’ experience in the CPG industry includes her most recent role as Group President of Tyson Foods, where she was responsible for the $10 billion prepared foods business. In this role, she drove record growth and spearheaded some of the company’s most successful initiatives.
 
She has also held leadership positions at Kraft Foods, Newell Rubbermaid, and the Hillshire Brands Company. She was named one of Fortune’s “Most Powerful Women to Watch,” and was among Fast Company’s “Top 100 Most Creative People in Business.”
 
“Growth has a broader meaning at Clif Bar. To us, it’s an opportunity to take care of people, be of service to our communities and help build a more equitable and sustainable food system,” said Erickson. “Sally’s passion for what makes Clif unique will benefit our company culture and her track record for innovative thinking will help take us to the next level. We are thrilled to have Sally leading us forward.”
 
Erickson founded Clif Bar nearly 30 years ago, aspiring to make an energy bar with nutritious, high quality ingredients. Today, Clif Bar has a wide line of organic, plant-based energy foods including its flagship CLIF brand, Clif Kid, and LUNA.
 
“Clif Bar’s role in business today has become much bigger than the bar,” Crawford said. “Sally is committed to our vision for leading with purpose and to the values that underpin everything we do. We could not be more excited for her to join us.”
 
“I am honored to join this extraordinary company at a time when people are looking to brands to lead by example, something Clif Bar has been doing for nearly 30 years,” said Grimes. “Clif is in a unique position to not only innovate, but also drive meaningful change in our food system. Their focus on the long game is inspiring and offers endless potential. I can’t wait to get started.”