Keurig Dr Pepper Evolves Executive Leadership Team in Support of Growth Strategy

Rhea-AI Summary

Keurig Dr Pepper (KDP) announced key leadership changes to support its growth strategy. The company appointed Eric Gorli as President of U.S. Refreshment Beverages, overseeing its $9 billion liquid refreshment business. Sean Cronican becomes Chief Customer Officer, leading U.S. customer-facing teams, while Drew Panayiotou expands his role as Chief Marketing Officer to include both U.S. Refreshment Beverages and Coffee marketing.

In a strategic move to capitalize on the energy drink sector, KDP created a new position of President, KDP Energy, appointing Justin Whitmore to oversee its energy brand portfolio, which generates over $1 billion in retail sales. The company's current President of U.S. Refreshment Beverages, Andrew Archambault, will depart on January 31, 2025.

Positive

• Energy drink portfolio generates over $1 billion in retail sales
• Strong U.S. Refreshment Beverages division with $9 billion business
• Strategic leadership restructuring to support growth initiatives

Negative

• Departure of key executive Andrew Archambault from U.S. Refreshment Beverages division

BURLINGTON, Mass. and FRISCO, Tex., Jan. 13, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Keurig Dr Pepper (NASDAQ: KDP) today announced several leadership appointments to continue to drive its Company strategy and deliver on its vision of a beverage for every need, anytime and anywhere.

"KDP is evolving our leadership structure to drive the next phase of our growth," said Tim Cofer, Chief Executive Officer. "We have been intentional about building a deep bench of talent, and we are fortunate to have leaders who are seasoned, forward-thinking and ready to step into these critical roles."

The Company announced the following changes, effective immediately, to its Executive Leadership Team:

Eric Gorli, President, U.S. Refreshment Beverages. Gorli will oversee KDP's $9 billion liquid refreshment business, which includes the carbonated soft drinks, still beverages and energy portfolios in the U.S. He has nearly 30 years of experience in the beverage industry, including nearly two decades in roles within The Coca-Cola Company's system across both bottling operations and Coca-Cola North America. Since joining KDP in 2015, Gorli has been a key leader in commercialization efforts across the enterprise, developing KDP's pricing, promotional and growth strategies, and serving most recently as Chief Commercial Officer.

Sean Cronican, Chief Customer Officer. With almost 30 years of sales experience, Cronican will lead KDP's customer-facing teams for all of the Company's customer partnerships in the U.S., including grocery, mass, club, small format, fountain foodservice and e-commerce. Having joined KDP in 2016, Cronican has held roles across sales and commercial leadership and has built and deepened many of KDP's critical customer relationships. Prior to KDP, Sean spent nearly 20 years with Abbott Nutrition.

Drew Panayiotou, Chief Marketing Officer. Panayiotou, who joined KDP this past November, expands his responsibilities to include Marketing for both U.S. Refreshment Beverages and U.S. Coffee, along with enterprise Marketing Services. With nearly three decades of sales, marketing and general management experience, Panayiotou is accelerating a digital-first marketing approach at KDP.

These three leaders join existing ELT members reporting directly to CEO Tim Cofer.  The roles of the following ELT members remain unchanged:

• Mary Beth DeNooyer, Chief Human Resources Officer
• Roger Johnson, Chief Supply Chain Officer
• Patrick Minogue, President, U.S. Coffee
• Monique Oxender, Chief Corporate Affairs Officer
• Sudhanshu Priyadarshi, Chief Financial Officer and President, International
• Dr. Karin Rotem-Wildeman, Chief Research & Development Officer
• Anthony Shoemaker, Chief Legal Officer & General Counsel 

Additionally, the Company is taking steps to seize the growth opportunity in the energy category.  Through a series of brand and infrastructure investments over the last several years, KDP has significantly increased its category market share, and its energy portfolio now generates more than $1 billion in retail sales. To realize the substantial growth ahead, Justin Whitmore is appointed to the newly created role of President, KDP Energy, overseeing KDP's energy brand portfolio, including marketing, sales, operations and integration, reporting to Eric Gorli.

After supporting the transition to this new organizational structure, Andrew Archambault, currently, President, U.S. Refreshment Beverages, will depart KDP on January 31 for an opportunity outside the Company. Archambault helped build KDP's commercial strategy in the years following the merger and held a number of critical leadership roles during his seven years with the Company.

About Keurig Dr Pepper
Keurig Dr Pepper (Nasdaq: KDP) is a leading beverage company in North America, with a portfolio of more than 125 owned, licensed and partner brands and powerful distribution capabilities to provide a beverage for every need, anytime, anywhere. With annual revenue of approximately $15 billion, we hold leadership positions in beverage categories including soft drinks, coffee, tea, water, juice and mixers, and have the #1 single serve coffee brewing system in the U.S. and Canada. Our innovative partnership model builds emerging growth platforms in categories such as premium coffee, energy, sports hydration and ready-to-drink coffee. Our brands include Keurig®, Dr Pepper®, Canada Dry®, Mott's®, A&W®, Snapple®, Peñafiel®, 7UP®, Green Mountain Coffee Roasters®, Clamato®, Core Hydration® and The Original Donut Shop®. Driven by a purpose to Drink Well. Do Good., our 28,000 employees aim to enhance the experience of every beverage occasion and to make a positive impact for people, communities and the planet. For more information, visit www.keurigdrpepper.com and follow us on LinkedIn.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
Certain statements contained herein are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable securities laws and regulations. These forward-looking statements can generally be identified by the use of words such as "outlook," "guidance," "anticipate," "expect," "believe," "could," "estimate," "feel," "forecast," "intend," "may," "plan," "potential," "project," "should," "target," "will," "would," and similar words. Forward-looking statements by their nature address matters that are, to different degrees, uncertain. These statements are based on the current expectations of our management, are not predictions of actual performance, and actual results may differ materially.

Forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, including the factors disclosed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K and subsequent filings with the SEC. We are under no obligation to update, modify or withdraw any forward-looking statements, except as required by applicable law.

Investors:

Investor Relations
Keurig Dr Pepper
T: 888-340-5287 / IR@kdrp.com 

Media:

Katie Gilroy
Keurig Dr Pepper
T: 781-418-3345 / katie.gilroy@kdrp.com 

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SOURCE Keurig Dr Pepper

FAQ

What changes did KDP announce to its executive leadership team in January 2025?

KDP announced Eric Gorli as President of U.S. Refreshment Beverages, Sean Cronican as Chief Customer Officer, Drew Panayiotou as expanded Chief Marketing Officer, and Justin Whitmore as President of KDP Energy.

How large is KDP's liquid refreshment business in 2025?

KDP's liquid refreshment business is valued at $9 billion, encompassing carbonated soft drinks, still beverages, and energy portfolios in the U.S.

What is the size of KDP's energy drink portfolio in retail sales?

KDP's energy drink portfolio generates more than $1 billion in retail sales.

When will Andrew Archambault leave his position at KDP?

Andrew Archambault will depart KDP on January 31, 2025, for an opportunity outside the company.

What is Drew Panayiotou's expanded role at KDP?

Drew Panayiotou's role as Chief Marketing Officer now includes Marketing for both U.S. Refreshment Beverages and U.S. Coffee, along with enterprise Marketing Services.