Think Better Group, in partnership with Kleen Kanteen Co-owners Michelle Kalberer and Jeff Creswell, hired Gordon Smith as the new CEO. Most recently, Smith was Klean Kanteen’s CFO and head of finance and reportedly “brings a wealth of knowledge of the Klean Kanteen operations worldwide.”
Before Klean Kanteen, Smith held various senior operational roles, including 14 years as a vice president in commercial banking. He has over 20 years of finance and leadership experience and “will provide a renewed level of guidance and strategy to the Klean teams worldwide.”
“I’m both humbled and excited to take over responsibility and lead Klean Kanteen into the next 20 years,” said Smith. “The opportunities to continue the impact-based legacy of this company will help lead the way forward for all.”
“Having built Klean over the last 20 years as a family business, we were ready for a partner to take us to the next stage of growth,” said Kalberer and Creswell. “Think Better Group is that perfect partner. At the same time, we recognized the opportunity to step into roles we are passionate about, and working with Gordon for the past six years, we knew he would be the right person to step into the CEO role.”
Heath Jansen, CEO of Think Better Group, commented, “We are excited to welcome Gordon to the executive leadership team of the Think Better Group and have the opportunity to work alongside Gordon as we build out the Group’s brands in partnership with Klean Kanteen’s team. Gordon was instrumental in driving the combination of Klean and Think Better Group, and his operational and strategic knowledge of the business will provide a solid leadership platform to further internationalize the brand.”
Think Better Group, a portfolio of sustainable consumer brands in the UK, recently acquired Klean Kanteen.
Images courtesy Klean Kanteen
