Top Beverage Leadership Moves We’re Watching in May 2020
By Hannah Hammond on May 14, 2020CHICAGO — Multiple beverage companies, from Anheuser-Busch InBev to Jones Soda, have made leadership changes in the past few months.
Here are some of the moves we’re watching …
Anheuser-Busch InBev
Felipe Dutra, chief financial and technology officer for Anheuser-Busch InBev, stepped down from his role with the beer company. Fernando Tennenbaum was appointed chief financial officer, David Almeida was appointed chief strategy and technology officer and Nelson Jamel was appointed chief people officer. The changes were effective April 29.
The three will be part of the Brussels-based company’s senior leadership team and report to CEO Carlos Brito. The changes are part of a well-established succession plan, according to the company.
Roar Organic
Roar Organic, New York, has appointed Mark Nino as vice president of sales. Nino will own the development of key strategic growth plans, management of major retailers and distributors and expand sales initiatives for the lifestyle brand, according to the company.
Nino previously held the role of vice president of sales for Chef’s Cut Real Jerky Co. Before that, he worked for glaceau vitaminwater and smartwater, plus Popchips.
Roar Organic is a low-calorie, low-sugar electrolyte beverage with antioxidants and B vitamins.
BevMo
BevMo, Concord Calif., has promoted its senior vice president of merchandising to be the company’s president and CEO. Josiah Knutsen succeeds Dimitri Haloulos, who led the company for four years.
Knutsen joined BevMo in 2018. Before that, he spent 17 years at Safeway and the Albertsons Cos.
BevMo is a leading alcoholic beverage specialty retailer. It has nearly 170 stores throughout California, Arizona and Washington.
Live to Give
Bottled water brand Live to Give has hired Randy Wolski as its new vice president of sales. Wolski has more than two decades of experience in consumer packaged goods sales, revenue management and analytics, particularly with a focus in retail channels such as grocery, natural, dollar, drug and convenience stores, according to the Dallas-based company.
Wolski previously was director of sales for convenience for Chef’s Cut Real Jerky Co. Before that, he was vice president of sales for Runa and director of sales for convenience for Bai Brands.
Live to Give makes pH-balanced, electrolyte-enhanced bottled water that donates 50% of its net profits to charitable organizations that support first responders, military members and their families.
Keurig Dr Pepper
Keurig Dr Pepper (KDP), Burlington, Mass., and Plano, Texas, has appointed Mauricio Leyva to the newly created role of president of international and business development.
Leyva will join the executive leadership team and be responsible for KDP’s Canadian and Mexican businesses and the company’s external growth initiatives, including strategic partnerships and mergers and acquisitions across all geographies, according to KDP.
Jones Soda
Jones Soda, Seattle, has appointed Jamie Colbourne as interim CEO. Jennifer Cue stepped down as CEO after eight years to spend more time with her family, according to the beverage company.
Colbourne has more than three decades of business experience, most recently as CEO and board member of JGC Foods. Prior to that, he worked with Charlie’s Produce, Litehouse Products, Tully’s Coffee, Haagen-Dazs and 7UP Canada.
Constellation Brands
Constellation Brands Inc., Victor, N.Y., has appointed Mike McGrew to the new role of executive vice president of chief communications and corporate social responsibility officer. McGrew will be responsible for overseeing the company’s communications efforts, brand public relations, corporate branding and reputation, investor relations and corporate social responsibility. He will also be a member of the company’s executive management committee.
McGrew started with Constellation Brands in 2014 and is based in its Chicago office. He has held several leadership roles within the company, including senior director of communications for the beer division.
Essentia
Scot Miller will succeed Ken Uptain as CEO of Essentia Water, Bothell, Wash. Miller is CEO of Tampico Beverages Inc. and will start in the new role June 1.
Miller has worked with a variety of beverage brands, including Pepsi, Snapple, Gatorade and Dr Pepper, among others. Essentia Water is an ionized alkaline bottled water that is known for its unique ionization process.
Uptain will shift to the role of executive chairman, with a new focus on maintaining and building relationships with key Essentia business partners, distributors and retailers.