6 Beverage Leadership Moves We’re Watching in September 2019
By Hannah Hammond on Sep. 19, 2019CHICAGO — From All Market Inc. creating a president position to a former PepsiCo president joining the Cannabiniers board, there have been several recent executive changes at beverage companies in the United States.
CSP Daily News looks at these companies and four others in this month’s roundup…
1. All Market Inc.
New York-based All Market Inc., maker of Vita Coco coconut water, has named Martin Roper its president. Roper will oversee operational and executional priorities for the company in this newly created role.
Roper previously was president and CEO of the Boston Beer Co., which produces Twisted Tea, Angry Orchard and Truly Hard Seltzer, for 17 years.
Mike Kirban, Vita Coco co-founder, will continue in his role as CEO and focus on the company’s vision, corporate culture, advancing its innovation agenda and furthering its investment in long-term initiatives such as sustainability and social impact.
2. Cannabiniers
Former PepsiCo-East President Michael Lorelli has joined the Cannabiniers board of directors.
Cannabiniers, a San Diego-based beverage, technology and brand management company, owns Two Roots Brewing Co., which created the first line of nonalcohol THC- and CBD-infused craft beer, according to the company.
During his decade with PepsiCo-East, Lorelli was president of Pizza Hut International, president of PepsiCola’s Eastern U.S. bottling operations and chief marketing officer for PepsiCola North America. His experience will further build out Cannabiniers' board to enhance leadership and brand strength, according to the company.
3. Califia Farms
Bakersfield, Calif.-based beverage maker Califia Farms has named Holly Harney director of sales for small format.
Harney will oversee the convenience-store and drug channels, as well as select foodservice accounts in the East. She has experience in sales and marketing from Procter & Gamble and Mars Wrigley Confectionery, and most recently was in a sales leadership role with Glanbia/ThinkThin.
Califia Farms’ product portfolio includes almond and oat milks, coffee creamer, cold-brew coffee, Mexican juices, citrus juices and seasonal drinks.
4. Bacardi
Hamilton, Bermuda-based Bacardi Ltd. has appointed Tony Latham to the roles of executive vice president and chief financial officer (CFO). Latham will oversee all finance activities, including global accounting, tax and treasury and revenue growth management, plus global business services and information technology.
He previously held a variety of senior finance roles at Unilever, most recently working as the executive vice president of finance for group performance management with a global responsibility for leading operational finance across the company. Before that, he worked for Danone as the global CFO of its medical nutrition division, and in finance roles based in Australia and Indonesia with SC Johnson.
5. BevCanna Enterprises Inc.
BevCanna Enterprises Inc. has appointed Michael Darby as CFO and corporate secretary. He replaces John Campbell, who will continue as chief strategy officer and focus primarily on merger, acquisition and joint venture opportunities in Canada and California.
Darby has more than 25 years of senior financial management experience and most recently worked at Naturo Group Investments Inc. Prior to Naturo, he was CFO of Skidmore Group Holdings Inc., CFO of TCG International Inc. and corporate controller and director of administration of Glentel Inc.
Vancouver, British Columbia-based BevCanna plans to develop and manufacture cannabinoid-infused beverages and consumer products for in-house brands and white-label clients.
6. Financial Information Technologies LLC
Financial Information Technologies LLC, also known as Fintech, has selected Trey Williams as its chief operating officer. Williams brings more than 30 years of technology and hospitality experience to the Tampa, Fla.-based company, which provides data, analytics and technology for the beverage alcohol industry.
Williams previously held the position of vice president of North America and global accounts for the hospitality division at NCR, where he maintained significant revenue growth worldwide and strengthened and led an operations team that support this success, according to the company. Prior to that, he spent 25 years with Radiant Systems, Siebel Systems and Accenture.