Vita Food Products Inc. announced changes to the company's senior management. Clifford Bolen, the company's chief financial officer since November 2000, has been promoted to chief operating officer. Bolen will also retain the title and responsibilities of chief financial officer for the immediate future. Bolen's background includes positions held in operations management, as well as senior financial management for over 20 years with a concentration in manufacturing and food processing. Bolen graduated from the University of Chicago's Executive MBA program in 1998.
In addition, the company has hired William Zaikos as its vice president of marketing. Zaikos brings over 12 years experience with Kraft Foods Inc. Zaikos held numerous positions within Kraft including most recently brand manager -- Easy Mac. During his marketing tenure at Kraft, Zaikos also worked on Miracle Whip dressing, Grey Poupon mustard, California Pizza Kitchen frozen pizza and Tombstone frozen pizza. In such capacities, he developed successful annual brand plans, managed over $100 million in sales with profit line responsibility, analyzed consumer trends, led successful new product launches and developed advertising, consumer promotions and trade programming. Zaikos received his MBA from the University of Chicago in 1999.
"Vita is pleased to announce these two changes," said Steve Rubin, the company's chairman and chief executive officer. "We feel that both of these highly qualified individuals will be making some substantive changes that will lead to a positive transformation of this company."
