Instinct Announces New CEO

After over four years as CEO of Instinct, Neil Thompson has accepted the role of Chairman, Instinct Pet Food.

Replacing Neil as CEO is Gordon Dumesich, who was previously Chief Growth and Marketing Officer at Instinct. Over the last four years, Gordon has built a highly cohesive and effective commercial team that has been instrumental in delivering consistent strong double-digit growth and ever-increasing market shares while strengthening our retail partnerships with a renewed focus on the Independent Neighborhood Pet Trade. Gordon has effectively positioned Instinct as one of the leading brands in the fastest growing ‘alternative pet food’ category, valued at over $1Bn USD.

Under Neil’s leadership, the Instinct business has significantly strengthened its financial position, allowing it to invest over $100M in the first phase of a new Center of Excellence manufacturing facility in Lincoln, Nebraska. This expansion will contribute to a more efficient and sustainable production footprint. In recent years, the organization has also made significant advances in the areas of operational stability, product quality and safety, and external relationships. Additionally, Instinct has invested in the scientific discovery process to quantify the benefits of raw feeding with the University of Helsinki. This research provides the company with unique and ever-increasing insights.

In his role as Chairman, Neil will work to further strengthen external relationships and will remain a member of Agrolimen’s Petcare Board. Instinct is grateful to Neil for his strategic leadership in shaping a bright future and empowering our team to reach new heights. Now, the company is excited to welcome Gordon to his promotion as CEO.

Gordon reflects on Neil’s contributions to the business and on what’s to come, saying, “Under Neil’s leadership we have leveraged our nutritional scientific evidence to help pet parents understand the power of minimally processed, raw nutrition. This has propelled strong category growth and Instinct market share gains. This momentum will continue as more households hear about benefits of raw and more innovation products to make it easier for pet parents to feed what best for their pets.”

About Instinct

Instinct® Pet Food is headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri, with raw pet food manufacturing facilities in Lincoln, Nebraska. Since it was founded in 2002, their mission has been to transform the lives of pets with raw nutrition. Food is one of the most important choices pet parents can make for their pets. Unlike other pet foods that use processed, complicated ingredients, Instinct’s raw diets are made with real meat, fruit, and vegetables. Their frozen and freeze-dried raw recipes use High Pressure Processing (HPP) to ensure they are free from pathogens, meeting the highest food quality and safety standards. In addition, Instinct is SQF certified in both food safety and quality. SQF is a rigorous and credible food safety and quality audit with worldwide recognition.

Feeding raw food can have a noticeable change in a pet’s digestion, overall energy level, skin and coat health. It can also help pets with food sensitivities and increase mealtime excitement – even from the pickiest of eaters. A healthier and happier life can start with simple changes to your pet’s diet – and The Choice is Raw™.

To learn more about Instinct, visit instinctpetfood.com.