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BrightPet Names Krueger Permanent CEO; Adds Industry Veteran to Executive Chairman Role

May 19, 2025

Pet industry veteran Chris Hamilton joins Mike Krueger to lead the pet food processor and co-manufacturer moving forward.

Andy Hanacek

Pet food producer and contract manufacturer BrightPet Nutrition Group has announced that interim CEO and long-time CFO Mike Krueger has officially been named permanent CEO. Additionally, pet industry veteran Chris Hamilton, who has held senior executive roles with Red Collar Pet Foods and Mars Inc., will be BrightPet’s new executive chairman. Both appointments are effective immediately, the company noted.

Krueger began his BrightPet career in 2017 as CFO, served a stint as chief operating officer from 2019-2021, and became interim CEO in November 2024. Before joining BrightPet, Krueger worked in senior roles for Graham Partners and Ernst and Young. Krueger noted the company will focus on strengthening every aspect of its co-manufacturing business, prioritizing consistent safety, quality and on-time delivery. On the branded side, enhancing R&D, production, marketing and sales was targeted.

Hamilton brings more than 20 years of industry-related leadership across marketing, sales and operations to the company. He previously served as president and CEO of Red Collar Pet Foods, and held various management and senior roles at Mars Inc. Hamilton is founding president and CEO of REAL MESA, a pet food startup.

About the Author

Andy Hanacek | Senior Editor

Andy Hanacek has covered meat, poultry, bakery and snack foods as a B2B editor for nearly 20 years, and has toured hundreds of processing plants and food companies, sharing stories of innovation and technological advancement throughout the food supply chain. In 2018, he won a Folio:Eddie Award for his unique "From the Editor's Desk" video blogs, and he has brought home additional awards from Folio and ASBPE over the years. In addition, Hanacek led the Meat Industry Hall of Fame for several years and was vice president of communications for We R Food Safety, a food safety software and consulting company.