CHICAGO, IL, April 22, 2025 – Bil-Jac Foods (“Bil-Jac” or the “Company”), an Entrepreneurial Equity Partners (“e2p”) portfolio company and a leader in the premium dog food and treats category, is proud to announce the appointment of Michael Greenwell as Chief Executive Officer.
Michael brings over 15 years of leadership experience in the pet industry, coupled with deep expertise in building teams, scaling operations, and driving brand growth within the pet sector. Most recently, Michael served as Chief Commercial Officer of Post Consumer Brands’ pet food division. In this role, he managed a diverse portfolio of brands and drove substantial growth, helping position Post as one of the largest branded pet food manufacturers in the United States. Prior to Post, Michael served as Chief Executive Officer at The Honest Kitchen, a pioneering pet food brand known for crafting human-grade, whole food nutrition for dogs and cats using thoughtfully sourced, minimally processed ingredients. There, he played a key role in expanding product lines and launching a new manufacturing facility. Throughout his career, Michael has also held several leadership positions across various companies, including roles in general counsel, transaction advisory, and tax services. He holds a JD and MBA from the University of Cincinnati and a BS in Business with Honors from Miami University.
e2p Partner CJ Fraleigh stated, “We’re thrilled to welcome Michael as the new CEO of Bil-Jac. Bil-Jac is an incredible brand — a 75-year-old pet franchise that the Kelly family and team have built and nurtured with care and dedication. We’re excited to have an executive of Michael’s caliber, whose experience scaling pet businesses and working closely with retail partners will be invaluable as we enter this next chapter of growth.”
“I’ve known Michael for many years, and I’ve always admired his ability to lead with vision while staying grounded in what matters to pet parents and retail partners. He’s an incredibly talented leader, innovator and collaborator,” added Bil-Jac’s Executive Chairman, Ron Coughlin, who previously served as CEO of Petco.
Bil-Jac has been a trusted name in pet nutrition since 1947, specializing in the production of premium dog food and treats. The Company produces a wide variety of dog food and treats, including dry kibble for all life stages, soft and chewy treats for training and rewarding, wet food recipes like chicken and beef stews, frozen dog food, and specialized diets for dogs with unique nutritional needs. Bil-Jac’s products stand apart by utilizing a proprietary small-batch, gentle cooking process that locks in nutrients and flavor while ensuring optimal digestibility. The Company operates out of two facilities located in Berlin, Maryland, as well as Medina, Ohio.
“I’m honored to lead this incredible team and build on Bil-Jac’s rich legacy and values-driven culture,” added CEO Michael Greenwell. “There’s something truly special about the way Bil-Jac does things, from being an early pioneer in frozen to our small-batch, slow-cooked process. This approach reflects the care and intention behind every recipe. It’s a better way to nourish dogs, and I’m excited to work alongside the Bil-Jac team and e2p to bring that to even more pet families.”