"Tony has an impressive history of building and sustaining iconic consumer brands. His strong track record of growth through [image-nocss] consumer-driven innovation, world-class marketing and strong retail relationships will help to further accelerate our business performance," said Rosenfeld.
She continued: "For nearly 30 years, Rick has been an exceptional member of our team. At every step on the corporate ladder, he achieved impressive business results. But more than that, Rick has a truly rare combination of intellect and humanity, insight and inspiration, drive and compassion. These are hallmarks of a great leader. We'll miss him."
Vernon is a 26-year veteran of the healthcare industry, principally in consumer businesses at Johnson & Johnson, and over the last three years as healthcare industry partner of Ripplewood Holdings. At J&J, Vernon ran multibillion-dollar independent business units and led many of that company's largest consumer brands, including Tylenol, Motrin, Pepcid AC, Imodium and Splenda. His accomplishments include leading the strategic evaluation, licensing and launch of Concerta and turning Remicade into a market leader in biologics; both of these prescription drugs are now billion dollar franchises for J&J.
Northfield, Ill.-based Kraft Foods makes American brands such as Kraft cheeses, dinners and dressings, Maxwell House coffees and Oscar Mayer meats, as well as global brands such as Oreo and LU biscuits, Philadelphia cream cheeses, Jacobs and Carte Noire coffees, Tang powdered beverages and Milka, Cote d'Or, Lacta and Toblerone chocolates, It is the world's second largest food company with annual revenues of $42 billion.
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