David J West

David J. West is President and Chief Executive Officer of Big Heart Pet Brands, the largest standalone pet food and snacks company in North America. Prior to that, he was Chief Executive Officer of Del Monte Foods, one of the country’s largest producers, distributors and marketers of premium quality food products for the U.S. retail market. Before joining Del Monte Foods, West was President and Chief Executive Officer, The Hershey Company, the leading manufacturer of quality confectionery and snack products, from 2007 until May 2011. Prior to this position, West was Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer, where he was responsible for the company’s day-to-day operations, including Hershey’s North American Commercial Group, International Commercial Group, and global supply chain activities. Prior to his role as Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer, West was Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer. West joined Hershey in 2001 as Vice President, Business Planning and Development, and subsequently was promoted to Senior Vice President, Business Planning and Development. In December 2002, he was promoted to the position of Senior Vice President, Chief Customer Officer, and was named Chief Financial Officer in 2005. Prior to joining Hershey, West was Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, Nabisco Biscuit and Snacks Group, with responsibility for leading the financial function of Kraft Foods’ biscuits, confections and salty snacks businesses, a $6 billion group. West joined Nabisco as Senior Cost Analyst, Planters/LifeSavers Company in 1987. During his 14-year career with Nabisco, he held the positions of Vice President, Corporate Strategy and Business Planning, and Director, Investment Analysis, among others. Prior to this, he held positions in finance and accounting with Wearever Proctor-Silex and Unisys. West received a bachelor’s degree, cum laude, in business administration from Bucknell University, Lewisburg, Pa. He has served on the board of directors of Del Monte Foods since June 2011, the board of directors of the Grocery Manufacturers Association since 2007; and on the board of directors of the Tasty Baking Company and as chairman of its Strategic Planning Committee from December 2003 until May 2011. He also serves on the Advisory Council of the Thaddeus Stevens Community College.