Toledo, Ohio (PRWEB) March 18, 2014<br /><br />Hickory Farms, Inc., the specialty food and holiday gift retailer today announced the appointment of Joe Herman as the company’s Chief Operating Officer & Chief Financial Officer, reporting to President and CEO Mark S. Rodriguez.<br /><br />In this newly created position, Herman will provide leadership and support to the Company’s executives in charge of Holiday Markets, Franchise Operations, Supply Chain as well as Finance and Administration. “We have gotten to know Joe well over the past 10 months,” said Mark S. Rodriguez, CEO. “He is a smart, strategic leader, and a complement to our existing team.”<br /><br />Since joining Hickory Farms in May 2013 as Interim Chief Financial Officer, Herman has been instrumental in helping the Company become more efficient as well as position it for growth. Prior to joining Hickory Farms, he was partner at Davenport, Hanf & Company, a NW Ohio based client service firm specializing in financial, operational and organizational development. Herman previously held leadership roles at Therma-Tru Corporation, a division of Fortune Brands, where he served as Director of Sales Operations, Vice President New Business Development, and Vice President and CFO. Prior to Therma-Tru, Herman served as a Senior Manager at Ernst & Young, having worked for 9 years in the audit, tax, and tax consulting practices of the firm.<br /><br />Herman earned his Masters of Business Administration from the University of Notre Dame and a Bachelor of Science in Finance and Accounting from Defiance College. He lives in Toledo with his wife, Amy and two children, Alex and Audrey.<br /><br />###<br /><br />About Hickory Farms<br />Hickory Farms, Inc ® is a leading provider of specialty foods and holiday food gifts. Since 1951, North American families have chosen Hickory Farms' savory sausages, cheeses and other gourmet foods for their loved ones each holiday season. The company's award-winning signature products and eco-friendly gift boxes can be found online, in catalogs, at leading supermarkets year round and in shopping malls throughout the Christmas holiday season. For more information, please visit http://www.hickoryfarms.com.