New appointments at Central

J. D. Walker will lead the garden branded products commercial organisation of the US company Central Garden & Pet Company with immediate effect. He will have responsibility for Central's branded garden business, including sales, marketing, innovation, control products, grass seed products, and décor products, as well as retail sales and service. Walker joined Central in 2011 and brings to his role 33 years of experience in consumer packaged goods, including 16 years in garden products, representing Duracell, Gillette, Spectrum and Central brands. Also effective immediately, Dan Pennington will lead Central’s wild bird and private label garden businesses. He will be responsible for Central's wild bird business within the garden segment and its private label lawn & garden businesses. He has been with Pennington Seed for 32 years, working in and building virtually every part of the business. In these roles, Walker and Pennington will report to Michael A. Reed, executive vice president, who will have oversight of the garden segment.