SAN FRANCISCO -- Vaping-device manufacturer Juul Labs has appointed Kevin Burns as the company's new CEO. Burns is the former president and COO of yogurt-maker Chobani.
Burns will replace Tyler Goldman, who officials with San Francisco-based Juul said left to pursue “new entrepreneurial opportunities.”
When Burns joined Chobani, Norwich, N.Y., in 2014, the company was struggling financially after experiencing production challenges and a product recall, according to Business Insider. He made critical improvements in procurement, distribution and plant operations that led to a company turnaround.
“He was a key contributor to the extraordinary operational and strategic success at Chobani that positioned the company for long-term growth, strong financial fundamentals and continued innovation,” James Monsees, co-founder and Juul board member, said in a press release. “We fully expect that he will bring similar success to Juul Labs.”
“The company’s mission to eliminate cigarettes is an important one, and I am confident that Juul Labs is well-poised to accomplish it," Burns said.
Prior to his role at Chobani, Burns spent more than 12 years as a partner at San Francisco-based TPG Capital, a private-equity investment firm focused on leveraged buyouts, growth capital and leveraged recapitalization. He has a Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical and metallurgical engineering from the University of Connecticut and an MBA from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania.
Burns will be based at Juul Labs’ San Francisco headquarters. Juul Labs is a consumer product company that produces electronic vaping devices and flavored e-liquids.
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