Clif Bar & Company, Emeryville, CA, a leading maker of nutritious and organic foods and drinks for people on-the-go, has promoted Kevin Cleary, formerly the president and COO, to chief executive officer. In his new role as CEO, Mr. Cleary will focus on expanding Clif Bar’s growth in the sports nutrition and healthy snacks category while continuing to lead the company’s day-to-day business operations. Owners Gary Erickson and Kit Crawford will continue as co-chairs of Clif Bar & Company’s Board of Directors and become co-chief visionary officers guiding the company’s Five Aspirations business model.

“Kevin’s talent for leadership and passion for a sustainable business model is evident by our tremendous business growth. To date, Kevin has expanded Clif Bar’s national and international distribution while directing the rapid expansion of the company’s portfolio of on-the-go snacks,” said Mr. Erickson. “With a passion for people engagement and environmental and social responsibility, Kevin has increased the use of organic and certified sustainable ingredients in our products to new levels,” added Ms. Crawford.

“It’s been an amazing experience bringing Clif Bar’s Five Aspirations business model to life day-to day-and seeing great results across the company from sales to our work in communities around the globe,” said Mr. Cleary. “We couldn’t have realized that kind of positive growth without the hard work of our amazing people. I’m looking forward to building on this momentum as we look to the future.”

As owners of the family and employee-owned company, Mr. Erickson and Ms. Crawford have developed an innovative business model that integrates social and environmental responsibility into every area of the business. Guided by Five Aspirations or bottom lines—Sustaining our Business, our Brands, our People, our Community and the Planet, Mr. Cleary will partner with them to bring the company vision to life.

Mr. Cleary, a San Francisco Bay Area native, husband and father of three boys, joined Clif Bar in 2004 as executive vice president of sales. In 2006, he was promoted to COO, and in 2009 he was promoted to president and COO.