Carbery taps Dairy Farmers of America COO for top position

Irish flavours and ingredients company Carbery has appointed the COO of Dairy Farmers of America, Jason Hawkins, as its next CEO.

Originally from County Kerry in Ireland, Hawkins currently holds responsibility for the cooperative’s global ingredients business and has previous experience with Kerry Group, including oversight of the vision, strategy and overall growth for several of Kerry’s businesses in North America.

During his career with Kerry, including his most recent position as president of beverages, brands and taste for North America, Hawkins successfully led and navigated the business to significant growth and profitability, obtaining and expanding Kerry’s leadership position within key markets and channels, Carbery said.

He will take over from Dan MacSweeney, who’s set to retire as CEO of the County Cork-based business after 25 years in December.

“I have, for a long time, admired Carbery as an organisation and am very much looking forward to further developing the successful business which the excellent team at Carbery
Group has built,” Hawkins said.

And Peter Fleming, chairman of Carbery, added: “Jason’s background with Kerry’s global ingredients business combined with his experience at Dairy Farmers of America make him
very well suited to build on the strong foundations that are in place at Carbery. I am confident that under his leadership the business will continue to grow and develop in
the years ahead, delivering for the milk suppliers of West Cork.”