Scott Salmon
President
Scott is the President of Simmons Pet Food. Scott is skilled in building and transforming teams and businesses to respond to shifting consumer habits and market disruption. He leads a talented team that is driven to deliver industry-leading product quality, innovation, and category growth. Scott has a strong customer focus, developed over 25+ years in sales leadership roles with Kellogg Company, including Chief Customer Officer for the U.S. Business. He received a BS in Sales & Marketing from Missouri State University.
Craig Bacon, PhD
SVP Of Technical Services
Craig Bacon is the Senior Vice President of Technical Services serving both the Simmons Pet Food and Simmons Prepared Foods divisions. He has proven leadership in insights-driven product development and go-to-market effectiveness in the food industry, including 27 years with Tyson Foods. In his current role, he leads teams of quality, research and development and nutrition experts across the organization to ensure top performance for Simmons customers. Craig received his PhD in Food Science and Technology from the University of Tennessee. He is an adjunct professor at the University of Arkansas and the University of Tennessee, a CASNR Outstanding Alumni, and a Fellow of the American Meat Science Association.
Scott Roberts
SVP Of Business Development & Sales Operations
Scott is the Senior Vice President of Business Development & Sales Operations for Simmons Pet Food. He provides strategic leadership in building and guiding customer relationships. Scott has over 25 years of domestic and international experience as a senior sales executive working across multiple business functions in the Consumer Packaged Goods industry, including roles with ConAgra Foods and Kellogg Company, leading sales and category management for the Walmart Team. Scott received a BS in Business Administration and Marketing from the University of Arkansas. He and his team are highly focused on enabling our customers’ success.
Derek Baucom
SVP of Operations
Derek is the Senior Vice President of Operations for Simmons Pet Food. Developed over a 25-year career in the industry, Derek has a passion for operational leadership with a strong focus on people, safety, efficiency and innovation. His background includes a track record of building successful teams and delivering results. Derek received a BS in Poultry Science from North Carolina State University.
Leah Lambrakis
VP Of Research & Development, Nutrition, & Scientific Affairs
Leah is the Vice President of Research & Development, Nutrition and Scientific Affairs for Simmons Pet Food and Simmons Animal Nutrition. She leads a team of 35 scientists that drives nutrition, pet food formulation, process engineering, ingredient technology and innovation. Leah has a life-long passion for nutrition, health and wellness, new & innovative advances on how to feed our pets better, and consumer insights for pets and pet parents. In her 24+ year career, she has developed deep knowledge in pet food science. In addition to supporting her team at Simmons, Leah also enjoys immersing herself in the industry with her involvement with the Pet Food Institute's (PFI) Nutrition Subcommittee as Vice-Chair, she is a Board of Trustee with the Morris Animal Foundation, and most recently has joined the Pet Food Association of Canada's Board of Directors. Leah received her undergraduate and graduate degrees in Animal Science and Animal Nutrition from the University of Guelph, Canada.
Jarrod Kersey, PhD
VP Of Food Safety, Quality Assurance & Government Affairs
Jarrod is the Vice President of Quality and Government Affairs for Simmons. He has a wealth of experience in the regulatory and pet food safety arena, stemming from work early in his career as a trade association representative interacting with the Food & Drug Administration’s Center for Veterinary Medicine and the Association of American Feed Control Officials. Jarrod’s career includes roles with Procter & Gamble’s Iams and Eukanuba brands, the American Feed Industry Association, and Mars Pet Food. He holds multiple degrees in his field, including a PhD from the University of Arkansas.
Jacob Rogers
SVP Of Pet Food Sales
Jacob is the Senior Vice President of Sales for Simmons Pet Food. He leads a team driven to serve our customers and grow our business by providing nourishing food for the pets we love. Jacob has 25 years of commercial leadership experience with a strong focus on people, innovation, and growth within the Consumer Packaged Goods industry. Throughout his career at Kellogg’s, and most recently with Hain Celestial, Jacob has established a track record of building high performing teams, creating a winning culture, and delivering results. Jacob received a BS in Business Administration and Marketing from East Carolina University.