Sadot Group Inc. Announces CEO Catia Jorge to Step Down

Rhea-AI Summary

Sadot Group Inc. (NASDAQ:SDOT) announced that CEO Catia Jorge will step down effective June 1, 2025, citing personal reasons. The company has appointed David Hanna, current EVP of Sadot Canada, as Interim CEO starting June 2, 2025. Hanna brings over 20 years of senior management experience in the agri-food industry, having held CEO, CFO, and President positions in companies with revenues up to $500 million annually. His expertise includes global operations across five continents, M&A activities, and involvement in transactions exceeding $1 billion. Hanna will serve as Interim CEO for 90 days while the company conducts a search for a permanent replacement.

[ "David Hanna brings extensive experience with over 20 years in senior management roles in agri-food industry", "Interim CEO has track record of managing companies with revenues up to $500M annually", "Hanna has significant M&A and financing experience, involved in transactions over $1B", "Smooth leadership transition planned with one-month notice period" ]

Positive

• None.

Negative

• Unexpected CEO departure could create temporary leadership uncertainty
• Short 90-day interim period may not provide sufficient stability
• Search for permanent CEO could distract from business operations

Insights

Corporate Governance Expert

Sadot's CEO transition introduces short-term uncertainty but demonstrates structured governance with a qualified interim replacement possessing relevant industry experience.

The sudden resignation of CEO Catia Jorge introduces a governance inflection point for Sadot Group. While the departure is cited as voluntary and for personal reasons, the relatively brief notice period (announced May 8 for June 1 departure) creates an abbreviated transition window that could temporarily impact operational continuity.

David Hanna's appointment as Interim CEO represents a strategically sound governance decision. His credentials are particularly relevant for Sadot's sector positioning—with over two decades of senior management experience in the agri-food industry, including CEO/CFO/President roles at companies with revenues up to $500 million annually. His experience establishing global operations across five continents aligns well with Sadot's focus on global food supply chains.

The structured 90-day interim period demonstrates disciplined governance practices, providing sufficient time for the board to conduct a thorough executive search while maintaining leadership stability. This approach balances immediate continuity needs with the strategic importance of finding the right permanent leadership fit.

Board Chairman Mark McKinney's specific mention of Hanna's role in "bringing additional pet food processing capabilities to Sadot" suggests strategic continuity in this recently announced initiative. His extensive M&A experience (transactions totaling over $1 billion) and financing background could prove valuable during the transition period if the company continues pursuing growth opportunities.

For investors, this transition introduces moderate uncertainty while demonstrating that governance mechanisms are functioning appropriately. The appointment of a qualified internal candidate with directly relevant industry experience mitigates potential disruption while the search for permanent leadership proceeds.

Company Names David Hanna, EVP of Sadot Canada, as Interim CEO

BURLESON, TX / ACCESS Newswire / May 8, 2025 / Sadot Group Inc. (NASDAQ:SDOT) ("Sadot Group", "Sadot" or the "Company"), an emerging player in the global food supply chain sector, announced today that Catia Jorge has submitted her voluntary resignation due to personal reasons as Chief Executive Officer. Ms. Jorge will remain with the Company as CEO through June 1, 2025.

The Company is pleased to announce that David Hanna, current Executive Vice President, Head of Sadot Canada Inc. will be named Interim CEO effective June 2, 2025.

Mr. Hanna has extensive experience including over two decades of senior management expertise in the global agri-food industry. Mr. Hanna's career spans a number of large and medium growth agri-food and commodity businesses where he has held CEO, CFO and President positions with revenues ranging up to $500 million annually. He has been involved in establishing global operations on five continents, acquiring assets and companies, developing high performing export and trade teams, and financing, designing and executing numerous greenfield and brownfield building and development projects globally.

"In addition to his operational expertise in agri-food, David has extensive experience in M&A activities, public and private equity and debt financing, having been involved in transactions totaling over $1 billion," stated Mark McKinney, Chairman of the Board of Sadot Group, Inc. "He also has been instrumental in bringing additional pet food processing capabilities to Sadot as recently announced."

Mr. McKinney continued, "The Company would like to thank Catia Jorge for her time with the Company and we appreciate the commitment to a smooth transition. We want to wish Catia well in her future endeavors."

Mr. Hanna will remain the Interim CEO for a period of 90 days while the Company conducts a search for a new CEO.

About Sadot Group Inc.

Sadot Group Inc. has rapidly established itself as an emerging player in the global food supply chain. Sadot Group provides innovative and sustainable supply chain solutions that address the world's growing food security challenges.

Sadot Group currently operates within key verticals of the global food supply chain including global agri-commodity origination and trading operations for food/feed products such as soybean meal, wheat and corn, and farm operations producing grains and tree crops in Southern Africa.

Sadot Group connects producers and consumers across the globe, sourcing agri-commodity products from producing geographies such as the Americas, Africa and the Black Sea and delivering to markets in Southeast Asia, China and the Middle East/North Africa region.

Sadot Group is headquartered in Burleson, Texas with subsidiary operations throughout the United States, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, India, Israel, Singapore, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates and Zambia. For more information, please visit www.sadotgroupinc.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release may include "forward-looking statements" pursuant to the "safe harbor" provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. To the extent that the information presented in this press release discusses financial projections, information, or expectations about our business plans, results of operations, products, or markets, or otherwise makes statements about future events, such statements are forward-looking. Such forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as "should", "may," "intends," "anticipates," "believes," "estimates," "projects," "forecasts," "expects," "plans," and "proposes." Although we believe that the expectations reflected in these forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, there are a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from such forward-looking statements. You are urged to carefully review and consider any cautionary statements and other disclosures, including the statements made under the heading "Risk Factors" and elsewhere in documents that we file from time to time with the SEC. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of the document in which they are contained, and Sadot Group, Inc., does not undertake any duty to update any forward-looking statements except as may be required by law.

Investor Relations:

E - IR@sadotco.com

SOURCE: Sadot Group Inc.

View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire

FAQ

Why is Sadot Group (SDOT) CEO Catia Jorge stepping down?

Catia Jorge is stepping down as CEO of Sadot Group due to personal reasons, effective June 1, 2025.

Who is David Hanna, the new interim CEO of Sadot Group (SDOT)?

David Hanna is the current EVP of Sadot Canada with over 20 years of senior management experience in the agri-food industry, having managed companies with revenues up to $500M annually.

How long will David Hanna serve as interim CEO of SDOT?

David Hanna will serve as interim CEO for 90 days while the company conducts a search for a permanent CEO replacement.

What is David Hanna's experience in the agri-food industry?

David Hanna has over two decades of experience in senior management roles, including CEO, CFO, and President positions, with expertise in global operations, M&A activities, and involvement in transactions over $1 billion.

When will the leadership transition at Sadot Group (SDOT) take place?

The leadership transition will occur on June 2, 2025, when David Hanna assumes the role of Interim CEO following Catia Jorge's departure on June 1, 2025.