February 17/Health Business Week -- Ben & Jerry's CEO and VP Global Brand Development, Walt Freese, has decided to resign from the company to pursue other values-led business and investment opportunities. At the company's request, he has agreed to continue to lead Ben & Jerry's and support a seamless transition until his exit at the end of March.

Since joining Ben & Jerry's and Unilever over eight years ago, Freese and his management team have been "instrumental in returning Ben & Jerry's to its heritage of leadership in progressive social and environmental values," a company release noted.

"Walt has done an outstanding job," said John LeBoutillier, Unilever's SVP Foods U.S. "We wish Walt all the best in his future endeavors."

From the March 1, 2010, Prepared Foods E-dition