Russell Stover Chocolates names Andrew Deister as new CEO
Pfluger will remain in his role as the president of Lindt & Sprüngli North America, continuing to coordinate the company’s regional businesses, including Ghirardelli Chocolate and Lindt North America in addition to Russell Stover.
Deister previously worked as CEO and president at specialty food company, Robert Rothschild Farm, according to his LinkedIn. He also held several senior positions in marketing and innovation at various consumer packaged goods companies, such as Procter & Gamble and Abbott Nutrition.
‘America’s chocolate of choice’
At Russell Stover, Deister will be responsible for building the brand while expanding its presence in the marketplace with product innovation. He will also report directly to Pfluger.
“I am honored to have the opportunity to join Russell Stover as we continue our drive toward becoming America’s chocolate of choice,” Deister said in a statement. “I look forward to working with the management team and front-line employees toward building a new and exciting future for… [Russell Stover’s] iconic American brands.”
Lindt acquired Russell Stover in 2014, and the company has repositioned the seasonal chocolate as an everyday brand in the US. Russell Stover also launched its first sugar free chocolate line sweetened with stevia extract earlier this year.
