SAN DIEGO — Natural Balance Pet Foods, Inc. announced July 7 the addition of two pet industry professionals to its leadership team in support of the company’s Feed with Confidence™ program, which ensures consumers that its products are safe, palatable and nutritious.

Billy Slaughter joins the pet food company as director of quality, regulatory and research and development. He offers experience in product development and food safety, having previously managed Merrick Pet Care’s quality and regulatory efforts since 2005.

At Natural Balance, Slaughter will oversee product quality, regulatory compliance, and compliance with the company’s quality requirements and consumer expectations.

From left: Billy Slaughter, director of quality, regulatory and research and development, and Cliff Grimes, manager of quality and regulatory affairs. 

Cliff Grimes has been named manager of quality and regulatory affairs at Natural Balance, bringing more than 25 years of experience in food and pet food production, quality assurance and food safety to his new role. Grimes will be responsible for ensuring food safety, quality assurance and regulatory compliance by working with manufacturing to source “only the highest quality ingredients,” the company stated.

Jennifer Freeman, who has been a member of the Natural Balance team for 16 years, has been promoted to director of nutritional science and customer care. Freeman is both a registered veterinary technologist and holds a master’s degree in animal nutrition. She will assist the company as it develops complete-and-balanced formulas that meet state and Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) guidelines.

“We are thrilled about the additions of Billy and Jennifer to our leadership team,” said Brian Connolly, chief executive officer of Natural Balance. “Being able to tap into their expertise in areas of pet food safety and customer care is instrumental to our growth and commitment to delivering on our brand promise.”

Natural Balance’s Feed with Confidence program is backed by a customer care team of registered veterinary technicians and other pet nutrition professionals, as well as “rigorous” product testing. The company shares product testing results on its website, where pet owners can search for a UPC code and lot number to view specific results for the product they have purchased.

Read more about personnel changes throughout the industry.