# Dave Ritterbush

> Dave Ritterbush is the Los Angeles-based chief executive of Califia Farms and a longtime consumer-products operator whose career runs from 16 years at Dreyer's Grand Ice Cream through leadership roles at Red Bull, Premier Nutrition, Popchips and Quest Nutrition. He led Quest through its $1 billion sale to The Simply Good Foods Company in 2019, then took over Califia from founder Greg Steltenpohl in 2020. His stated approach combines respect for a founder's history with operational changes built for scale, including a broader manufacturing network, a fast-growing Simple & Organic range, a foodservice push through baristas and the acquisition of plant-milk dispenser company Uproot.

- **Role:** Chief Executive Officer at Califia Farms
- **Organizations:** Califia Farms, The Simply Good Foods Company, Humm Kombucha, Quest Nutrition, Popchips, Premier Nutrition Corporation, Joint Juice, Red Bull North America, Dreyer's Grand Ice Cream
- **From:** Denver, United States
- **Education:** Undergraduate degree in Business Administration, Marketing, San Diego State University
- **Known for:** Led Quest Nutrition through its $1 billion acquisition by The Simply Good Foods Company in 2019., Rose from regional marketing manager to senior vice president during a 16-year career at Dreyer's Grand Ice Cream., Helped guide Califia Farms to approximately 21% compound annual growth over the five years reported in 2024.

## Career timeline

- **1960s-1980s** — Born in Denver and raised from about age one and a half in Cupertino, California; early exposure to sales and marketing came through his father's work.
- **1990** — Graduated from San Diego State University with a business administration degree focused on marketing.
- **1991-2007** — Built a 16-year career at Dreyer's Grand Ice Cream, rising to senior vice president of marketing for packaged products; worked on Dreamery, the super-premium portfolio and the Häagen-Dazs integration.
- **2007-2009** — Served as vice president and general manager of Red Bull North America's western business, spanning sales, marketing, supply chain, finance and accounting.
- **2009-2015** — Held operating and chief executive roles at Joint Juice and Premier Nutrition, including COO and CEO responsibilities.
- **2015-2017** — Led Popchips as chief executive, with responsibility for restructuring, sales turnaround, brand refresh, innovation and supply-chain changes.
- **2017-2020** — Led Quest Nutrition as CEO and then president after its acquisition; Quest sold to The Simply Good Foods Company for $1 billion in 2019.
- **2019-present** — Serves on the board of The Simply Good Foods Company; current committee assignments include corporate responsibility and sustainability and nominating and corporate governance.
- **2020-present** — Succeeded Greg Steltenpohl as chief executive of Califia Farms.
- **2024** — Oversaw Califia's move to 100% recycled plastic for North American bottles and the acquisition of Uproot's plant-milk dispenser business.
- **2026** — Outlined Califia's next bets in organic products, nutrient-focused formulations, foodservice and an expanded manufacturing network.

## Achievements

- Led Quest Nutrition through its $1 billion acquisition by The Simply Good Foods Company in 2019.
- Rose from regional marketing manager to senior vice president during a 16-year career at Dreyer's Grand Ice Cream.
- Helped guide Califia Farms to approximately 21% compound annual growth over the five years reported in 2024.
- Expanded Califia's manufacturing beyond its Bakersfield base through eastern U.S. partnerships.
- Oversaw Califia's 2024 conversion of all North American bottles to 100% recycled plastic.
- Led Califia's 2024 acquisition of Uproot, whose plant-milk dispensing network served more than 150 institutional locations at announcement.
- Accepted the Beverage Forum Small Company of the Year award on Califia's behalf in 2021.

## Latest updates

- **2026-06** — Appeared on the How Leaders Lead podcast to discuss building systems, processes and organizational capabilities for what comes next.
- **2026-04** — Described Califia's growth priorities to Forbes: organic products, nutrient-dense formulations, eastern manufacturing partnerships and barista-led foodservice expansion.
- **2026-03** — Discussed product innovation, inflation and Califia's next phase on Bloomberg Television's The Close.
- **2026-01** — Califia expanded its Simple & Organic portfolio with the brand's first soymilk.
- **2025-08** — Califia added Simple & Organic seasonal almond creamers and organic horchata.
- **2025-03** — Califia introduced Creamy Refreshers, extending the portfolio beyond core plant milks and coffee.
- **2024-07** — Califia acquired Uproot, adding plant-milk dispensers in colleges, schools and hospitals.
- **2024-02** — Califia completed its conversion to 100% recycled plastic for all bottles sold in the United States and Canada.

## Links

- Website: https://www.califiafarms.com
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dave-ritterbush-02160616
- Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/califiafarms
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/califiafarms/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CalifiaFarms/
- TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@califiafarms

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/dave-ritterbush
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-09-27