Marzetti hires president for retail business

WESTERVILLE, OHIO — Consumer packaged goods veteran Mark Christenson has joined The Marzetti Co. as president of the retail business.

In the post, Christenson will oversee sales, marketing and innovation for Marzetti’s portfolio of retail brands and licensed products, including the development and execution of growth plans, the Westerville-based food company said. He started in the role on Oct. 26 after coming over from fast-casual chain Wingstop Restaurants Inc., where he was chief revenue officer.

“Our retail segment has tremendous brands, talented people and significant opportunities to grow,” said Dave Ciesinski, president and chief executive officer of Marzetti. “Mark is a brand builder with a track record of creating sustainable growth in highly competitive categories.”

Christenson joined Wingstop as chief revenue officer in December 2024 and held the role for more than a year, during which time he led brand strategy and customer-facing commercial activity for the chain’s US business, Marzetti noted. Previously, he spent more than 20 years at Procter & Gamble Co., including roles such as senior vice president of global feminine care, vice president of North America baby care and vice president of global fabric care. Earlier in his career, Christenson spent time at Boston Consulting Group and served six years as a US Navy officer.

In other retail organizational moves, Marzetti announced the appointments of Rob Reinerman as group vice president of brand and innovation and Rene Luichinger as chief customer officer.

“With Mark, Rob and Rene in these critical leadership roles, we are building the team and capabilities we need to accelerate this business and position it for long-term growth,” Ciesinski said.

Reinerman came to Marzetti in July 2026 as group vice president of brand and innovation, a newly created post aimed at driving an integrated portfolio strategy and sharpening end-to-end marketing, the company said. He brings more than 20 years of consumer products leadership experience at Procter & Gamble, most recently as vice president and chief commercial officer of P&G Ventures.

Marzetti said Luichinger was promoted to chief customer officer in September 2026 to lead the retail sales organization and further the company’s customer strategy. She joined Marzetti in January 2025 after more than two decades at Abbott, where she held leadership roles in retail sales, category management, sales strategy and marketing.

“Our growth strategy starts with accelerating organic top-line growth, and strengthening our retail business is an important part of delivering against that commitment,” Ciesinski said. “We are focused on doing the fundamentals exceptionally well, moving with greater speed and building the brands, innovation and customer partnerships that will create sustainable growth.”