Tropical Cheese, a Perth Amboy producer of Hispanic dairy products on Monday said it appointed Vic Mehren as chief executive officer, effective Sept. 2, 2025.
Mehren brings more than two decades of leadership experience in the consumer goods industry, most recently serving as CEO of Second Nature Brands, where he led a transformation that significantly increased revenue, expanded the brand portfolio, and delivered strong investor returns. Prior to that, Mehren held senior executive roles at Mars and Wrigley, including U.S. chief operating officer and general manager roles across multiple business units.
“Tropical Cheese is an iconic brand built on authenticity, quality, and deep cultural roots,” Mehren said. “I’m honored to be part of the next chapter, building on the foundation and success of Rafael Mendez and his family. I see tremendous opportunity to scale the Tropical Cheese platform nationally while staying true to what makes the business so special.”
Founded in 1982, Tropical Cheese has become the category leader in Hispanic cheeses across the Eastern U.S., serving retail channels through an integrated network that includes direct-store delivery. Backed by Avance Investment Management and AUA Private Equity, the company is focused on expanding its reach, growing its portfolio, and becoming the undisputed leader in Hispanic dairy and adjacent food categories.
“With a strong track record of leading transformational growth for a number of iconic consumer goods brands, Vic brings the right mix of strategic vision, operational expertise, and cultural leadership to position Tropical as the market-leading producer and provider of Hispanic dairy products,” Luis Zaldivar, Managing Partner of Avance.
“We are extremely pleased to have Vic join the team. Having spent my career immersed in the unique dynamics of family-owned businesses, notably during my time as COO at Goya Foods, the nation’s largest Hispanic-owned food company, I recognize how effective and transformative leadership can be to value creation,” said Andy Unanue, Managing Partner of AUA Private Equity. “It is clear to us that Vic brings the kind of strategic ambition and operating experience to accelerate growth and build upon the strong culture Rafael Mendez, his family, and the Tropical team have created.”
