BLUFFTON, IND. — Pretzels, Inc. has hired two executives who are expected to help the company ramp up its innovation capabilities.

Tim Jax has been named vice-president of marketing and innovation. Prior to joining Pretzels, Inc. he was general manager of baked goods and corporate restructuring at TreeHouse Foods. He earlier was general manager of pretzels at TreeHouse. Before joining TreeHouse Mr. Jax spent seven years at ConAgra Foods (now Conagra Brands) in a variety of roles, including senior brand manager of Shultz and private brand pretzels and brand manager of snacks innovation.

He received a bachelor’s degree in marketing communications from the University of Wisconsin — River Falls and a master’s degree in business administration from Indiana University — Kelley School of Business.

Carey Hoffman has joined Pretzels, Inc. as director of R.&D. Ms. Hoffman most recently was associate director of new product development at Reily Foods Co. She earlier was senior manager of new product development and senior food scientist at Reily. Prior to joining Reily Ms. Hoffman was a research scientist at Hershey Co. for more than 12 years.

She received a bachelor’s degree in biology from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University and a master’s degree in food science from Drexel University.

Pretzels, Inc. also announced that Rodrigo Troni has been added to the company’s board of directors as a board member. Mr. Troni currently is interim chief executive officer at Imperial Frozen Foods and earlier was president and c.e.o. of Sky Valley Foods, Inc. Earlier in his career Mr. Troni was chief marketing and innovation officer at Snyder’s-Lance, Inc., senior vice-president of marketing at Birds Eye Foods and chief marketing officer at Sabra Dipping Co. He also spent several years at Cadbury P.L.C.

He received a bachelor of arts degree in business studies from the University of Greenwich.

“Pretzels has a long and rich history of product and technical innovation,” said Greg Pearson, c.e.o. of Pretzels, Inc. “New product innovation starts by investing in great people, and we are very excited to have Tim, Carey and Rod on the Pretzels team. Our best-in-class team and facilities exemplify the company's commitment to developing exciting products that will help our customers delight their consumers.”