News
Halo, Purely for Pets® Taps Distinguished Pet Care Executive As Its New CEO
Los Angeles, CA, April 1, 2008 –Halo, Purely For Pets® has brought Steve Marton, a long term veteran of the premium pet food industry and longtime senior executive at several Colgate-Palmolive divisions, aboard as its new CEO, Pegasus Capital Advisors announced today.
“Steve is a visionary in the field and besides being a great leader, he is deeply connected and passionate about the health and well-being of animals,” said Greg Horn, Chairman of Halo. “We’re delighted to add his exceptional experience and expertise to Halo at this time of exciting growth for the company.”
Marton will provide the strategic direction for Halo as well as oversee the company’s operations. Halo has been a leader in premium-quality natural, holistic pet care since 1996, and many regard its “Spot’s Stew” as the finest dog and cat food available. In February, 2008, Halo introduced a host of new products, repackaged its entire line and expanded its national retail distribution. Award-winning talk show host and animal advocate Ellen DeGeneres also became a part-owner of the company.
“I was drawn to Halo by both the company’s 20-year tradition of producing the highest quality natural pet products and by the impressive progress the company has made in the last few months, especially the partnership with Ellen DeGeneres,” says Marton. “Halo has great opportunities ahead and I look forward to helping the company achieve them, all the while adhering to the high standards set by Andi Brown, Halo’s founder.”
“Steve Marton is a superb choice to lead Halo. As he takes the company’s reins I know that he is committed to maintaining the quality and dedication to pet well-being that has been a hallmark of Halo from its very beginning,” says Andi Brown, Halo’s founder.
Marton’s stellar career includes senior management and executive positions at several leading consumer goods companies, including Newell Rubbermaid and Colgate-Palmolive. At Newell Rubbermaid, Marton served as Group President, Office Products Division, a $2.0 billion manufacturer of many leading brands, including Sharpie®, Paper Mate®, DYMO®, Waterman® and Parker®. At Colgate-Palmolive, he served as President and Chief Operating Officer of Hill’s Pet Nutrition, Inc., a $1.3 billion manufacturer of premium quality pet foods sold under the Science Diet® and Prescription Diet® brands. While at Hill’s, Marton was instrumental in the launch of specialty sub brands including Science Diet Nature’s Best® and Science Diet Advanced Care®. Over a five-year period Marton’s leadership helped generate significant sales and profit growth for the company. He previously served as Vice President and Managing Director of Hill’s Pet Nutrition in Europe, where he helped expand the Hill’s business across 28 European countries. Prior to that, Marton was the Commercial Director of Colgate Oral Pharmaceuticals and its line of prescription and over the counter oral care products.
In 1986, Andi Brown founded Halo, Purely for Pets® after her cat “Spot” was plagued by digestive problems, skin irritations and excessive shedding. Andi soon learned that all of Spot’s symptoms were a direct result of nutrients lacking in his diet. Finding “premium” cat foods seriously lacking, she created a “stew” made from all natural ingredients and Spot was soon cured of his ailments and healthy again.
Since Halo’s inception, the company has been an active advocate helping conscientious pet owners better understand how nutrition plays a role in their pet’s health and vitality. Named for our belief that pets are our little angels, Halo continues to develop innovative and high quality pet products which help pet-owners better love and care for their “extra member of the family.”
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