Tender Corporation Names Chris Heye CEO

Tender Corporation, with headquarters in Littleton, appointed seasoned consumer packaged goods executive Christopher Heye as chief executive officer.  Heye succeeds Jason Cartwright, who is stepping down to pursue new entrepreneurial activities and who will continue to serve on Tender’s board of directors.

Heye was most recently senior VP of strategy at Prestige Consumer Healthcare, a Lynchburg, Virginia company whose products include Dramamine and ClearEyes. While there, Heye was responsible for Prestige’s women’s health and Canadian businesses. He also brings global consumer products leadership experience from his previous role as CEO of Cyclo Industries, where he successfully built three businesses. Heye’s career also includes more than two decades in senior consumer products marketing and sales positions at Welch Foods, BP, Inc., Johnson & Johnson, and Nestle.

“Tender is a gem of a company, and I’m very excited to work with the senior leadership team to grow the business,” says Heye. “I’m eager to apply my business-building experience and sales and marketing insights to grow these treasured brands. Consumer interest in outdoor recreation and sports is booming, and there is enormous potential for Tender’s best-in-class products like After Bite, Ben’s and Natrapel insect repellents, and first-aid essentials QuikClot and Adventure Medical Kits.”

“As the board and I discussed Tender Corporation’s next phase of growth and my future aspirations, it became clear this is a good milestone in our growth trajectory to bring in a new CEO to lead the business,” says Cartwright. “The company can benefit from Chris’s extensive experience in growing branded consumer products and his deep knowledge of customer needs.”

“We are incredibly grateful for Jason’s 20 years of dedication and service in building Tender, and we are pleased he will continue to support the company’s strategic growth at the board level, as a shareholder, and as an adviser,” says Gary A. Kiedaisch, Tender’s board chair. “We are excited to have someone of Chris’ caliber join the Tender team to help build on our momentum.”