American Beverage Association has announced the election of members to its board of directors.
The members elected to serve a first term are: Johannes Evenblij, president of the west division for PepsiCo Beverages North America; Chris Hunt, CEO of Red Bull North America; and Palmer Nackard, president of Nackard Companies.
“It is my honor to welcome our newly elected board members and thank them for their commitment to serve our industry,” said Katherine Lugar, president and CEO of American Beverage. “Our board is critical in driving innovative solutions whether advancing our industry’s Every Bottle Back initiative or supporting better way efforts to help families balance the sugar they get from beverages. Together, we’ll continue achieving meaningful results that support our customers, consumers and communities.”
Those elected to serve for an additional term are: Brian Charneski, president of L&E Bottling Co.; Mark Francoeur, president of Coca-Cola Beverages Northeast; Sally Hargis, VP and chairman of Ozarks Coca-Cola/Dr Pepper Bottling Co.; John Kalil, president of Kalil Bottling Co.; Jack Pelo, former president and CEO, and current board member, of Swire Coca-Cola; Cliff Ritchie, president and CEO of Carolina Beverage Corp.; and Kirk Tanner, CEO of PepsiCo Beverages North America.
“Our board is comprised of top-notch leaders with unique perspectives who provide valuable insights to help drive our industry forward and build on our leadership in addressing the environmental and health challenges of today,” said Matthew Dent, chair of the AB Board of Directors, and president and CEO of Buffalo Rock Co. “I look forward to working alongside each of them to create a stronger future not only for our industry but for the communities we serve from coast to coast.”
Members of AB’s Board of Directors serve a four-year term and participate in semi-annual meetings that help shape association programs, policies and initiatives. Officers are elected annually.
American Beverage is the national trade organization representing the broad spectrum of companies that manufacture and distribute non-alcoholic beverages in the United States. For more information, visit americanbeverage.org.
