Agilex Flavors & Fragrances has named Raymond Hughes as CEO, effective March 4.
He replaces Stu Zlotnik, who will transition to a senior advisory role for the board. Dan Stebbins, the former president of Dragoco and former president of the Symrise global flavor division, will become the chairman of Agilex's board.
Hughes spent the majority of his career at flavors and fragrance company Dragoco, where he held positions of increasing responsibility over his 23 years with the company. He was ultimately promoted to president and CEO of Dragoco North America, where he had corporate responsibility for fragrance and flavors in U.S., Canada, Mexico and Central America. He also had direct P&L responsibility for the North America flavor division, along with global responsibility for the beverage flavors category.
Following the merger of Dragoco and Haarmann & Reimer in 2002, Hughes became president of the North America flavor division for the newly created Symrise. In this role at Smyrise, Hughes led the North American growth strategy for the number three global division in the flavors industry. Additionally, he successfully managed the integration of two large sales, marketing and research and development organizations in the U.S. and Mexico.
Most recently, Hughes served at A.M. Todd Group, a privately-held, global company in the cultivation, processing and sale of natural mint oil for the oral care, gum and confection industries. He served as president and CEO of the company, becoming the first non-family CEO in the 141 year history of A.M. Todd , and was also responsible for a portfolio of companies and investments in addition to the core mint business.
In addition Hughes served on the board of governors for the Flavor & Extract Manufacturers Association (FEMA) for 12 years, including one year as president. He also served on the board of governors for the International Organization of the Flavor Industry (IOFI) for multiple terms.
Zlotnik , who served Agilex for 25 years, will continue to be available to Hughes and the board in a senior advisory role and continue to be part of the Agilex family. He will also remain an investor in the company.
Rob Sharp, managing director of MidOcean Partners, which made an investment in Agilex in December 2012, said, "we want to sincerely thank Stu for his valuable contributions to the company, and look forward to his continuing role as a senior advisor to the board. Stu and our great management and employee team have created the best platform in the fragrance industry, and we are excited to support it with our significant capital base and industry resources."
Sharp added: "We are thrilled that Ray has chosen to join us and lead the company in its next phase of exciting growth. He is an iconic industry leader, a world class executive, and a wonderful person. And we are also excited to announce that Dan Stebbins, the former president of Dragoco and former president of the Symrise global flavor division, has chosen to become the chairman of the board of Agilex. In addition to our other esteemed board members, Tom Virtue, the former president of Givaudan, and Brian Connolly, the former president of Avon, we believe Agilex has unparalleled expertise to serve our customers fragrance needs."
