Cyanotech names new president
Cyanotech Corp. has named a new president and chief executive officer six months after its founder Gerald Cysewski announced he was stepping down as part of a strategic shift towards building a consumer-products business.
Andrew Jacobson, a 23-year executive in the natural foods industry, started work yesterday as head of the Kailua Kona nutritional products producer of microalgae with a short-term goal to get its products to more retail outlets while building greater brand recognition.
Part of the company's strategy includes, "Getting consumers to understand the nutritional value of spirulina and astaxanthin and how it can be a part of their everyday regimen," Jacobson said yesterday. "It is important that we become a consumer-products company and that we get our message out there."
Jacobson, 46, was formerly president of the personal care division at Hain Celestial Group, a natural and organic food and personal care products company whose brands include Earth's Best, Arrowhead Mills and Soy Dream. He also was president of natural products at Hain, which has annual sales of about $1 billion. He joined Hain in 1997 through its acquisition of Westbrae Natural Foods where he was president.
Cysewski, who founded Cyanotech in 1983, is now executive vice president and chief scientific officer, responsible for developing new microalgae products, while Gregg Robertson, lead independent director, was named chairman of the board of directors.
The management changes reflect Cyanotech's shift from the processing and distribution of microalgae products to a consumer driven, sales and marketing focused business, which aims to increase the value and consumer recognition of its BioAstin Natural Astaxanthin and Spirulina Pacifica brands.
"This company has a tremendous opportunity to take advantage of the health-care issues that are in the United States," Jacobson said.