Hickory Farms names new finance chief
Specialty food gifting retailer Hickory Farms is reaching outside the company for its new CFO.
Kevin Rule has been named CFO of Hickory Farms. Based in the company’s Chicago headquarters, he will oversee the finance function including accounting, bank relationships, financial planning and analysis, risk management, and merger and acquisition activity. In addition, he will play an integral role in shaping the strategic direction of the company.
"We are thrilled to have such a seasoned veteran on board in this very important position,” said Diane Pearse, CEO and president of Hickory Farms. “Kevin brings a wealth of knowledge and more than 25 years of finance experience. He is an agile leader with a diverse background and proven track record that makes him perfect for this position.”
Before joining Hickory Farms, Rule served as VP finance & controller, business unit CFO for the North American Division of Consumer Paint at the Sherwin-Williams Company. From 2015-2017 he held the role of senior director and head of finance, North America Consumer Paint for Valspar Corp. Prior to Valspar, Kevin spent 17 years at Kraft Foods where he held a variety of financial positions that supported multiple verticals, including manufacturing and supply chain, in addition to corporate financial planning and analysis.
Rule holds a bachelor’s of business administration from the University of Notre Dame and a master’s of business administration in finance, marketing, management and strategy from Northwestern University Kellogg School of Management. He is also a certified public accountant (CPA).
Kevin Rule has been named CFO of Hickory Farms. Based in the company’s Chicago headquarters, he will oversee the finance function including accounting, bank relationships, financial planning and analysis, risk management, and merger and acquisition activity. In addition, he will play an integral role in shaping the strategic direction of the company.
"We are thrilled to have such a seasoned veteran on board in this very important position,” said Diane Pearse, CEO and president of Hickory Farms. “Kevin brings a wealth of knowledge and more than 25 years of finance experience. He is an agile leader with a diverse background and proven track record that makes him perfect for this position.”
Before joining Hickory Farms, Rule served as VP finance & controller, business unit CFO for the North American Division of Consumer Paint at the Sherwin-Williams Company. From 2015-2017 he held the role of senior director and head of finance, North America Consumer Paint for Valspar Corp. Prior to Valspar, Kevin spent 17 years at Kraft Foods where he held a variety of financial positions that supported multiple verticals, including manufacturing and supply chain, in addition to corporate financial planning and analysis.
Rule holds a bachelor’s of business administration from the University of Notre Dame and a master’s of business administration in finance, marketing, management and strategy from Northwestern University Kellogg School of Management. He is also a certified public accountant (CPA).