Rip Van Inc. Appointed Todd Tillemans as CEO

The low-sugar snack maker selected a former Hershey and Perdue Farms executive to lead its retail distribution expansion.

Updated on Oct. 6, 2026 in People

Stacks of cardboard shipping boxes on wooden pallets in an organized warehouse distribution center. — Rip Van Inc. has named Todd Tillemans, a former executive at Hershey and Perdue Farms, as its new chief executive officer to drive national retail expansion. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Rip Van Inc. has appointed Todd Tillemans to serve as its new chief executive officer. The leadership change comes as the company plans to increase its retail presence across the United States.

Why it matters

The hire brings an executive with deep industry experience to a company focused on growing its market footprint. Tillemans is expected to leverage his background in food manufacturing to scale the brand's reach.

The company produces low-sugar sweet snacks and is scaling operations to include major retailers such as Walmart.

The players

Todd Tillemans

He is the newly appointed chief executive officer of Rip Van Inc. and previously served as the chief commercial officer of Perdue Farms.

Rip Van Inc.

This company is a manufacturer of low-sugar sweet snacks currently expanding its national retail distribution footprint.

Hershey Co.

This American multinational company is a major producer of chocolate and confectionary products where Tillemans previously held an executive role.

Perdue Farms

This family-owned food and agricultural company is where Tillemans served as chief commercial officer prior to his current appointment.

Walmart

This multinational retail corporation operates a chain of hypermarkets and is listed as a target for the brand's retail expansion.

The details

Todd Tillemans joins the snack manufacturer following his tenure as chief commercial officer at Perdue Farms. He also brings prior experience from an executive role held at Hershey Co. to the leadership team.

October 2026 marks the period for the company's retail distribution expansion.

Market Landscape

The company's expansion into major retailers reflects a broader trend of niche snack brands scaling up to compete with established confectionery giants. This move positions the brand to capture more shelf space in the competitive low-sugar snack market.

Shoppers can expect to see an increased presence of low-sugar snack options at popular retail outlets such as Walmart this month. The shift in leadership aims to streamline the availability of these products for consumers looking for healthier alternatives.

The takeaway

The appointment of a seasoned executive suggests that the company is prepared to aggressively pursue growth in the national retail market. Consumers interested in low-sugar options should monitor their local grocery aisles for a wider availability of these snack products.