USA – Keurig Dr Pepper (KDP), a leading beverage company in North America, has unveiled significant leadership appointments as part of its strategy to drive growth across its diverse portfolio.
Eric Gorli, currently KDP’s chief commercial officer, has been named president of U.S. Refreshment Beverages.
Gorli will oversee KDP’s US$9 billion liquid refreshment business, which includes carbonated soft drinks, still beverages, and energy drinks.
With nearly 30 years of experience in the beverage industry, including senior roles at The Coca-Cola Company, Gorli has been instrumental in developing KDP’s pricing, promotional, and growth strategies since joining the company in 2015.
CEO Tim Cofer emphasized the importance of these leadership changes, stating, “KDP is evolving our leadership structure to drive the next phase of our growth. We are fortunate to have leaders who are seasoned, forward-thinking, and ready to step into these critical roles.”
Sean Cronican has been appointed chief customer officer, overseeing KDP’s customer-facing teams in the U.S.
Cronican will manage partnerships across multiple channels, including grocery, mass retail, e-commerce, and foodservice.
With nearly three decades of sales experience, Cronican has played a pivotal role in strengthening KDP’s customer relationships since joining in 2016, following a 20-year career with Abbott Nutrition.
Drew Panayiotou, the newly named chief marketing officer, will lead marketing for both U.S. Refreshment Beverages and U.S. Coffee.
Panayiotou is tasked with accelerating KDP’s digital-first marketing approach and leveraging his 30 years of experience in sales, marketing, and general management.
KDP is also bolstering its presence in the energy category, which now generates more than US$1 billion in retail sales annually.
To capitalize on this growth, Justin Whitmore has been appointed to the newly created role of President, KDP Energy. Whitmore will oversee marketing, sales, operations, and integration for KDP’s energy brand portfolio, reporting to Eric Gorli.
The company announced that Andrew Archambault, President of U.S. Refreshment Beverages, will depart KDP on January 31, 2025, for a new opportunity.
Archambault played a significant role in shaping KDP’s commercial strategy during his seven years with the company.
KDP’s financial performance remains robust, with third-quarter net sales rising 2.3 percent to US$3.9 billion.
For the first nine months of 2024, the company reported US$11.3 billion in net sales, a 3 percent increase year-on-year, alongside a 12.4 percent growth in operating income to US$2.5 billion.
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