Central Garden & Pet Announces Leadership Transition in Garden Segment
Central Garden & Pet Company (NASDAQ: CENT; NASDAQ: CENTA), a leading consumer goods company serving the pet and garden markets, has announceda planned leadership transition within its Garden segment. The company said J.D. Walker, President of Garden Consumer Products, will retire from his current position effective September 26, 2026.
Following Walker’s retirement from the role, Jason Barnes, currently Executive Vice President of Garden Consumer Products, will take on expanded leadership responsibilities for Central’s Garden segment. Barnes will oversee sales, marketing and service activities throughout the segment while also assuming management responsibility for the company’s Branded Controls, Grass Seed, Live Plants, Packet Seeds and Vendor Partner businesses.
Walker will remain connected with Central Garden & Pet after the transition and will continue supporting the company in a consulting capacity. The arrangement is designed to provide continuity while Barnes moves into the broader leadership role.
Jason Barnes to Lead Garden Consumer Products
Barnes has served as Executive Vice President of Garden Consumer Products since October 2025 and brings more than 20 years of experience in the lawn and garden industry to his new responsibilities.
His career began with Pennington Seed in 2002, and he joined Central Garden & Pet in 2006. Since then, Barnes has taken on a succession of leadership positions spanning sales, business development and general management. His experience across several areas of the business has given him a broad understanding of Central’s garden operations, customers, brands and commercial strategy.
Before becoming Executive Vice President of Garden Consumer Products, Barnes most recently served as Senior Vice President and General Manager of Bell Nursery, DoMyOwn™ and Central’s Vendor Partner business. In those roles, he was responsible for managing businesses and relationships that are important components of Central’s broader garden portfolio.
Central CEO Niko Lahanas said the company focused on finding a leader who understood the company’s customers and operations while also demonstrating a strong record of execution and alignment with Central’s entrepreneurial culture.
According to Lahanas, Barnes brings extensive knowledge of the garden business and has developed strong relationships with both customers and employees during his years with the company. He also highlighted Barnes’ record of delivering results and developing talent.
Lahanas said the company expects Barnes to build on the momentum established by the Garden segment while pursuing opportunities for growth and innovation. His expanded responsibilities will place him at the center of Central’s efforts to develop its branded garden business and strengthen its position in the market.
J.D. Walker’s Contributions to Central’s Garden Business
Walker has been an important member of Central Garden & Pet’s leadership team since joining the company in 2011. During his tenure, he played a significant role in shaping the company’s Garden segment and expanding its commercial reach.
Under Walker’s leadership, Central’s garden business achieved substantial sales growth and improved profitability. The company also strengthened its portfolio of established brands and expanded relationships with major retail partners.
Walker’s tenure included a focus on broadening Central’s presence across multiple areas of the garden market. The company expanded its portfolio through acquisitions that included Arden®, Bell Nursery, Hopewell Nursery, Green Garden™ Products and DoMyOwn™.
These additions helped Central build a broader portfolio spanning products and services serving different needs within the lawn and garden sector. Walker also emphasized customer relationships and team development, helping establish a leadership structure designed to support the segment’s continued growth.
Lahanas credited Walker with leaving the Garden business in a stronger position and recognized his contribution to developing Central’s portfolio, customer relationships and leadership team.
Walker also played an important role in Central’s Cost and Simplicity initiatives. According to the company, those efforts have helped establish a stronger operational foundation as Central prepares for its next phase of growth.
“Leading Central’s garden business has been an honor and a privilege,” Walker said. He expressed pride in the accomplishments of the team during his tenure and said he was confident in the group’s ability to continue developing the business.
Walker also thanked Central for the opportunity to lead the Garden segment and said he looks forward to remaining connected to the business through his consulting role.
Barnes Outlines Priorities for the Next Phase
Barnes expressed appreciation for Walker’s leadership and said he was honored to have the opportunity to succeed him.
He pointed to the strength of Central’s team and portfolio of brands as important foundations for the Garden segment’s future. Barnes also identified innovation, growth and customer service as areas he intends to emphasize as he assumes his expanded responsibilities.
The leadership transition comes as Central continues to manage a diverse garden portfolio that includes seed, live plants, lawn-care products, garden controls and vendor-partner businesses. Barnes’ previous experience across several of these areas is expected to provide continuity as he takes responsibility for the broader segment.
His familiarity with Central’s operations also gives him experience working across different business functions and customer relationships. That background will be relevant as the company seeks to maintain operational momentum while identifying new opportunities within the garden market.
Leadership Continuity at Central Garden & Pet
Central Garden & Pet said the transition is intended to provide continuity for employees, customers and business partners. Walker’s continued involvement as a consultant will also allow the company to retain his knowledge and experience during and after the transition.
Barnes’ appointment represents an internal leadership transition, reflecting the company’s ability to promote an executive with extensive experience within its garden operations. Having spent approximately two decades with Central, Barnes has worked across multiple roles and developed familiarity with the company’s brands, customers and commercial activities.
The transition will formally take effect on September 26, 2026. At that time, Barnes will assume responsibility for sales, marketing and service throughout Central’s Garden segment, along with management of the Branded Controls, Grass Seed, Live Plants, Packet Seeds and Vendor Partner businesses.
Barnes holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in English Literature from the University of Tennessee and an MBA from Emory University.
With Walker moving into a consulting capacity and Barnes assuming expanded leadership responsibilities, Central Garden & Pet is positioning its Garden segment for continued operational continuity while focusing on growth, innovation, customer relationships and the development of its branded portfolio.
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