WARMINSTER, Pa. — W. Atlee Burpee Company, the nation’s largest home gardening company, has named James (Jamie) Mattikow, President and Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Mattikow formerly served as Chief Commercial Officer at Ferrara Candy Company, where he led the Illinois based company’s everyday and seasonal category and marketing teams and was responsible for Ferrara’s innovative research and development group.
The 55 year old executive brings to Burpee top-tier brand experience with more than twenty-five years of marketing and brand management at companies that include Kraft, Mars, Cosi Inc., Seagram Beverage Company and Hasbro.
The announcement of the new appointment was made by George Ball, who since purchasing Burpee in 1991 has served as President, CEO and Chairman of the Bucks County, PA based company. Mr. Ball will remain as Chairman of Burpee.
“Jamie Mattikow has been an achiever throughout his career and brings to Burpee a wide range of experience and skills that will enable the company to realize significant expansion in allied fields while retaining and advancing our leadership in all aspects of home gardening,” Mr. Ball said when announcing the appointment.
Burpee is the nation’s leading home gardening company in both catalogue and retail sales. And while sales volume and earnings are proprietary, according to Mr. Ball, Burpee enjoyed record sales and earnings for the 2018 home gardening season.
Mr. Mattikow holds an MBA in Marketing and Finance from Columbia University and earned a BA degree in Economics & Business and Government & Law at Lafayette College. He will join Burpee effective April 1, 2019, to assume his new position.
