Freshpet announced a planned leadership transition tied to the company’s 20th anniversary. Scott Morris, Freshpet’s President and Co-Founder, will transition from his operating responsibilities to an advisory role on October 20, 2026. Morris will remain available to the company as an advisor for 18 months following the transition.
Upon Morris’ transition, current Chief Operating Officer Nicki Baty will assume the title of President. Baty joined Freshpet two years ago as part of the company’s leadership succession plan. As President and COO, she will continue reporting to Chief Executive Officer Billy Cyr and will oversee Freshpet’s commercial operations and supply chain.
Morris’ innovation responsibilities will transition to a newly created Chief Innovation Officer role.
Freshpet also announced that Thembi Machaba, the company’s Chief Human Resources Officer, has been promoted to also serve as Chief Administrative Officer, effective immediately. In the expanded role, Machaba will oversee additional areas, including sustainability initiatives, community relations, property management, corporate security, and key management processes.
The transition reflects a succession plan that has been underway for several years as Freshpet enters its third decade. The company said it has scaled operations, a strong leadership team, and significant opportunities for future growth.
Freshpet was founded nearly 20 years ago by Scott Morris, Cathal Walsh, and John Phelps with the goal of building a different kind of pet food company focused on fresh, real food for dogs and cats. The company has since grown to more than $1 billion in annual sales and is now one of the top five dog food brands in the United States.
Freshpet has three manufacturing kitchens and approximately 1,300 employees worldwide. Last year, the company opened its Commercial Center of Excellence in Bedminster, New Jersey. Designed primarily by Morris, the facility reflects Freshpet’s Pets, People, Planet philosophy through environmentally sustainable features, dog daycare, and employee-focused amenities.
Freshpet’s products are available across grocery, mass, digital, pet specialty, and club retailers in the United States, Canada, and Europe, as well as online in the U.S.
KEY QUOTES:
“It is impossible to overstate the contributions and impact that Scott has had on the Freshpet business over the past 20 years. Our products, marketing and the passion for Pets, People and Planet all have Scott’s fingerprints all over them, and we are forever grateful. While a founder always plays a special role for a company, we believe we have built a very strong team that is well positioned to continue driving significant growth and fulfilling Freshpet’s mission.”
Walter George, Chair of Freshpet’s Board of Directors
“Scott’s passion for the Freshpet business and his relentless drive to innovate have been instrumental in making Freshpet what it is today. We are deeply indebted to him for all he has done to inspire and create this Company and wish him well in his next adventures. He has helped grow and develop the team, who are experienced and highly capable of continuing to deliver growth and innovation. Scott will be leaving us in a very good position and will remain available to us as an advisor. I’d also like to congratulate Nicki and Thembi on their new roles. Both are well deserved and provide us the leadership strength that we will need to continue our mission.”
Billy Cyr, Chief Executive Officer of Freshpet
“When we started Freshpet nearly 20 years ago, we simply wanted to build the kind of pet food company we wished existed. We believed pets deserved fresh food, retailers deserved a better partner, and employees deserved a company with a real sense of purpose. What happened next exceeded what we originally imagined. I have had the privilege of working alongside extraordinary people to build something that matters — to pets, pet parents, employees, partners and communities. Looking around today, I could not be more confident in Freshpet’s future. We have a talented team, a strong business, and tremendous opportunities ahead of us. Freshpet has been an amazing adventure. I am incredibly proud of what we have built together and proud to leave a great company and great business in the hands of an amazing group of people. The leadership team, employees and partners who will carry Freshpet forward are ready to write the next chapter. While I am transitioning away from my operating responsibilities at Freshpet, I plan to remain supportive however I can in the years ahead. I look forward to watching Freshpet continue to grow, innovate and make an even bigger impact on pets and the people who love them.”
Scott Morris, President and Co-Founder of Freshpet
“For nearly 20 years, Scott and I have shared the challenges, setbacks, risks and victories that come with building a company from scratch. Scott has always believed that if you take care of pets, people and partners, good things happen. That philosophy helped shape the culture and values that define Freshpet today. While I will miss working alongside him every day, I am grateful for his friendship and partnership and proud of everything we built together. The foundation is strong, and I am confident Freshpet’s best days are still ahead.”
Cathal Walsh, Co-Founder and Managing Director of Europe at Freshpet
