US-based pet food producer BrightPet Nutrition Group has appointed Mike Krueger as its full-time CEO. 

Krueger has been BrightPet’s interim CEO since November, succeeding Dave Kowal, who had held the role since May 2021.

BrightPet has also announced the appointment of former Red Collar Pet Foods and Mars executive Chris Hamilton as executive chairman.

Krueger joined BrightPet, which is backed by private-equity company A&M Capital Partners, in 2017 as CFO and worked as COO from 2019 to 2021.  

"We will continue to capitalise on BrightPet's strong heritage as a premium co-manufacturer of pet food and treats," Krueger said. "We will also continue to strengthen our branded portfolio to enhance R&D, production, marketing, and sales."

The group’s brand portfolio also includes Bravo, Miracle Care and Hamilton. 

Ryan McCarthy, partner at A&M Capital Partners, said: "Under Mike's guidance, we believe BrightPet is becoming more efficient and consolidating its focus on what the Company does best while maintaining high standards for customer satisfaction. We believe his vision and leadership style will pair well with the senior industry expertise of Chris, who is expected to help BrightPet usher in a new era of growth and success."

Hamilton has been the president and CEO of fellow US pet-food group Red Collar Pet Foods since 2018.

He joined Red Collar Pet Foods after 13 years at Mars, where he worked in the US giant's pet-food and confectionery businesses in North America.

In January, BrightPet named former MillerCoors and Coty executive Al Moss as its COO.