OAK CREEK, WIS. — Stella & Chewy’s announced the appointment of Jay Thompson as its new chief executive officer. Johnson brings a wealth of experience from his previous leadership roles, including a strong foundation in finance and strategic growth, according to the company.

“We are thrilled to welcome Jay to the Stella & Chewy’s family,” said Ken Fox, chairman of the board. “Jay’s impressive background in building and scaling beloved consumer brands aligns perfectly with our mission to help pet parents feed their dogs and cats better so their pets live happier, healthier lives. His leadership will be instrumental as we enter our next chapter of growth.”

Stella & Chewy’s Founder Marie Moody has been serving as interim CEO since May 2024, following Marc Hill’s resignation. Moody has played a key role in bringing together a strong leadership team during the transition. During her time in the role, she focused on strengthening the leadership team, realigning company priorities and reinforcing the brand's founding mission.

“In this next chapter, it was important to ensure we had the right team in place — leaders with talent, passion and shared values,” Moody said. “With Jay at the helm and a strong executive team supporting him, I am confident we can propel our beloved brand to the next level. When I stepped back into the company, my goal wasn’t only to build the right leadership foundation, but also to bring a renewed focus to the core products our customers rely on — premium raw nutrition, delivered in the most convenient form possible. That's what Stella & Chewy’s was founded to do, and that remains our north star.”

Thompson most recently served as chief financial officer for Generous Brands, where he helped broaden the strategic scope of the finance function and supported the company’s rapid growth. Before that, he was part of the leadership team at Chobani, where he helped scale operations during a time of transformational expansion, and at PepsiCo, where he developed deep expertise in profitably growing consumer brands in competitive markets.

As CEO, Thompson will focus on scaling Stella & Chewy’s mission of providing premium, natural pet food that supports the health of pets worldwide. Under his leadership, the company plans to enhance its product offerings, deepen connections with existing customers and significantly expand household penetration. As part of this ongoing momentum, the brand has expanded into PetSmart, H-E-B and Meijer retail stores, broadening access to its product range for more pets across the country.

“Stella & Chewy’s represents a unique opportunity to lead a brand that has set the standard for quality and innovation in the pet food industry,” Thompson said. “Together, we can make a meaningful difference in improving the health and nutrition of pets everywhere. I’m excited to partner with this talented team to build on the company’s strong foundation, drive strategic growth and deliver exceptional products that help pets thrive.”

Read more about personnel changes throughout the industry.