Ajinomoto Foods North America appoints Dave Gardner as new CEO

Ajinomoto Foods North America, Inc. announced the appointment of Dave Gardner as President and Chief Executive Officer, effective April 1, 2026. Gardner succeeds Hiroshi Kaho, who has been promoted to Executive Officer & Executive Vice President, Chief Human Resources Officer for parent company Ajinomoto Co., Inc. (Tokyo: 2802) in Tokyo.

Gardner brings more than 35 years of food industry experience to the role. He served as AFNA's Chief Supply Chain Officer since 2022, leading manufacturing and supply chain operations across the company's eight U.S. production facilities. In this role, he led a cost transformation initiative that delivered $35 million in first-year savings while improving customer service.

Prior to joining AFNA, Gardner served as Chief Operating Officer at Amy's Kitchen, the Petaluma, California-based natural and organic frozen foods company. Earlier in his career, he held senior leadership roles at Ingredion Incorporated, including Vice President of North America Supply Chain and Vice President of North America Manufacturing.

"Dave is the right leader at the right moment," said predecessor Hiroshi Kaho. "AFNA has built a strong foundation with a clear sense of purpose, and a portfolio that is uniquely positioned for where consumers are heading."

Gardner has identified three priorities for his early tenure: elevating operational excellence, accelerating innovation and brand-building to expand AFNA's retail and foodservice presence, and developing leadership aligned to the company's purpose.

AFNA manufactures specialty frozen foods under brands including Ajinomoto, José Olé, Ling Ling, and Tai Pei. The company is a wholly owned subsidiary of Ajinomoto Co., Inc., a global leader in amino acid research. Gardner holds bachelor's and master's degrees in chemical and biochemical engineering from Western University in London, Ontario, Canada.

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