Yasso opens new HQ in Colorado with fresh leadership

30-Sep-2019 - Last updated on 30-Sep-2019 at 08:37 GMT

The former co-CEOs plan to ‘stay close’ to the brand as board directors and investors, working on innovation and brand storytelling.

As a Greek yogurt-based ice cream alternative, Yasso has grown to be a nationally distributed better-for-you dessert. Now the brand is handing off its leadership to a new management team and opening a headquarters in Boulder, Colorado.

Yasso shared that it will soon hit $100m in revenue in 2019, and the brand’s fast growth over the last few years led it to explore new leadership and facility options. It was co-founded by Amanda Klane and Drew Harrington in 2009, and the pair have worked to build the foundation for Yasso’s next growth phase.

The two were formerly co-CEOs, and Craig Shiesley will now take over as the new leader. Shiesley was previously an independent member of the Yasso Board, and most recently acted as president and COO of Amplify Snacks.

Harrington said, "Since we founded Yasso in 2009 at just 23 years old, it's been more than just a business for Amanda and me, it's been a way of life. It's been the thrill of a lifetime to work alongside our amazing team to build Yasso from a simple idea to a nationally distributed and recognized brand.”

“We felt now was an appropriate time to select a new leader to execute our strategic growth plan. As Craig joins the Yasso family as CEO, we're confident the brand will continue to grow and carry on with our mission to bring great tasting, better-for-you desserts to fans all across the country while making a positive impact in our communities."

Both Klane and Harrington plan to ‘stay close’ to the brand as board directors and investors. They will still work on innovation, brand storytelling and the Yasso Game On! Foundation, the company’s charitable mission.

Klane said, "Hiring a new CEO is no simple task and although Drew and I met with many impressive candidates from CPG brands we admire, we hadn't met someone we felt had everything it would take to lead Yasso until we met Craig.

"It was important for us to find a cultural fit who would stay true to our core mission and principles, but also someone with a proven track record of leading brands of scale with larger company management experience, but smaller company mindset. We found that in Craig and we are both excited to be partnering with him. His vision and ambition matches ours."

Shiesley officially joined the company in July and has built out an executive team for the newly renovated Yasso headquarters in downtown Boulder, including operations, sales, marketing and more.

Shiesley said, "The Yasso brand already has strong momentum, leading in velocity growth as well as repeat in the category, and yet there is so much more growth runway for the brand. In particular, I'm looking forward to leveraging our unique 'made with the goodness of Greek yogurt' product platform to accelerate the growth of our base business, and an innovation capability that will continue to delight consumers across new forms and categories. I'm also excited to expand our better-for-you snacking platform beyond Yasso to other strategic partnerships."