Ajinomoto Foods North America Names Dave Gardner President and CEO to Lead Next Phase of Growth and Innovation

Ajinomoto Foods North America, Inc. recently appointed Dave Gardner as President and Chief Executive Officer, effective April 1, 2026. Gardner succeeds Hiroshi Kaho, who has been promoted to Executive Officer & Executive Vice President, Chief Human Resources Officer for Ajinomoto Co., Inc. Gardner is expected to accelerate growth in the company’s specialty frozen foods business.

Gardner brings over 35 years of experience in the food industry to his new role. Prior to this position, he served as AFNA's Chief Supply Chain Officer since 2022, where he led manufacturing and supply chain operations across eight U.S. production facilities. He was involved in translating long-term strategy into actionable objectives, focusing on a people-first culture, and achieving significant cost savings through operational improvements.

Gardner has a history of senior leadership roles, including as Chief Operating Officer at Amy's Kitchen, and various positions at Ingredion Incorporated. His expertise is recognized within the food industry for effectively implementing strategies at scale.

With the U.S. frozen food retail market exceeding $90 billion annually, Gardner's leadership comes at a critical time. The frozen snacks and ethnic foods categories are reported to have significant growth potential. AFNA's portfolio includes popular brands like Ajinomoto, Ling Ling, Tai Pei, and José Olé, which are seen as key players in the trend toward authentic global flavors.

Gardner has outlined three key priorities for his tenure: elevating operational excellence, accelerating innovation, and developing new leadership aligned with AFNA's mission of enhancing everyday eating experiences. He holds both bachelor's and master's degrees in chemical and biochemical engineering from Western University in Canada.