Lighting Science Group Corporation announced yesterday the appointment of Jeremy Cage as Chief Executive Officer, effective January 2, 2013. Cage was selected to lead the company based on his experience in building major brands, his success in developing commercially-appealing technologies and bringing them to market, as well as his distinguished track record of strengthening business models and improving operational efficiencies.
Cage replaces Brad Knight, who served as Interim CEO while the Board worked with an executive search firm, and who will continue to serve as Chief Operating Officer.
“We are delighted to have Jeremy join the Lighting Science team,” said Nic Brathwaite, Chairman of the Lighting Science Board of Directors. “Jeremy is a proven strategic thinker, inspiring leader, and brand builder who has successfully introduced major innovations at some of the world’s best known companies, resulting in accelerated sales volume, profit and market share growth. We are confident that he will do the same at Lighting Science.”
Over the past decade, Cage served in key executive positions at PepsiCo, Inc., including Senior VP of Innovation and Insights for its U.S. Beverage business, Chief Marketing Officer of International Foods, and, most recently, Senior VP of the Global Snacks Group, where he was responsible for developing breakthrough strategies, brand plans, and innovation programs for the beverage giant. While heading up innovation for its U.S. beverages unit, Cage implemented a new innovation approach that yielded many breakthroughs, including the company’s industry-leading Dream Machine Recycling program.
“This is an exciting time to join the talented team at Lighting Science, as consumers, businesses, municipalities, and governments worldwide are poised to move into the digital light age,” commented Cage. “I intend to accelerate growth by building on the company’s core competencies of excellence in innovation and strong and differentiated brand development. We will focus on unleashing the science of light and sustainable technologies to markets ranging from major cities, commercial centers, factories and retailers in developed markets to entire cities and villages in developing and emerging markets. There is much to do, and I am eager to get started.”
“Jeremy’s leadership skills and strategic mindset stood out among the candidates that were reviewed by the Board and recommended by our executive search firm,” added Steven Wacaster, Board Member and a Partner at Pegasus Capital Advisors L.P., Lighting Science’s largest shareholder. “We are excited about the vision Jeremy will bring to Lighting Science.”
Cage, 48, earned a B.A. degree from Wabash College in Crawfordsville, Indiana. During his 26-year career, he has been a leader in building brands and businesses for Procter and Gamble, Schering Plough Healthcare and PepsiCo, Inc. A true global citizen, Jeremy has lived and worked internationally, spending more than 16 years in Sweden, England, Venezuela, Brazil, and Mexico.
