The succession, announced by the Easton-based distributor on July 20, concludes a multi-year planning process involving the board, Axar Capital, and Central Garden & Pet. While Blaine Phillips shifts his focus to long-term strategy, governance, and maintaining key vendor relationships, he remains a significant investor in the firm. He previously led the company from 1981 to 2016 and returned to the CEO seat in 2021, a tenure marked by the strategic joint venture with Central Garden & Pet.
Nick Christensen enters the CEO role with a clear mandate to build on the company’s recent operational overhaul. Since joining the business in 2021, Christensen has held roles as Senior Vice President of Operations and Chief Operating Officer, overseeing efforts to streamline supply chain logistics. His background includes two decades of industry experience, including senior positions at C&S Wholesale Grocers and United Natural Foods, Inc. He inherits a network of 24 distribution centers, with the stated objective of deepening partner relationships and expanding service capabilities across the U.S. pet specialty market.
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