PepsiCo Reveals Exec Moves

John Compton, president of Purchase, N.Y.-based PepsiCo, is leaving the company to become CEO of Pilot Flying J Oil Corp. in Knoxville, Tenn. PepsiCo has appointed Zein Abdalla, CEO of PepsiCo Europe in his stead, while Enderson Guimaraes, president of PepsiCo’s Global Nutrition Group, becomes the new PepsiCo Europe CEO. Both Abdalla and Guimaraes report to PepsiCo Chairman and CEO Indra Nooyi.

“John joined PepsiCo as a 21-year-old at the Pulaski, Tenn., Frito-Lay facility, and since that day has made countless positive contributions to this company.” noted Nooyi. “He is a humble and collaborative leader who cares deeply about both the business and developing talent. John is also passionate about his family, and what is particularly impressive about his decision is that he is choosing what is right for him and his family.”

Added Compton: “It isn’t easy leaving a company I’ve been a part of for 30 years. I love PepsiCo, and I will always be part of the PepsiCo family. I have deep and personal ties to Tennessee, and my family’s plan all along has been to return to Tennessee at some point. It isn’t often that the opportunity arises to run one of America’s largest private companies, and this new opportunity was a once in a lifetime chance to do so.”

Of Compton’s replacement, Nooyi said, “Zein’s strategic vision, global experience and focus on execution will serve him very well in this new assignment. Zein has demonstrated outstanding business and operational results as the leader of our European sector. During his tenure, the division grew revenues from $7 billion to $14 billion; he led the transformation of the European portfolio, shifting it towards the higher-growth markets in the region; and along the way, he also helped PepsiCo become the largest food and beverage company in Russia.”

In his new position, Abdalla will have responsibility for PepsiCo’s global category groups (Global Beverages, Global Snacks and Global Nutrition); Global Operations (IT, Global Procurement, Supply Chain and Productivity); Global Marketing Services ;and Corporate Strategy. Collaborating with the geographic business units, his team will drive innovation and brand building while reducing the overall cost structure of the company.

“We will continue to focus on global brand-building, breakthrough innovation and productivity throughout the organization,” said Abdalla.

Before joining PepsiCo, his successor, Guimaraes was EVP of Electrolux and cEO of its major appliances business for Europe, Africa and the Middle East, based in Belgium. Guimaraes previously spent 10 years at Philips Electronics, first as a regional marketing executive in Latin America and later as SVP and head of global marketing management.

“PepsiCo has an excellent business and a strong, experienced team in Europe,” said Guimaraes. “It’s a large market which is going through tremendous change at the moment, and PepsiCo’s portfolio is uniquely positioned to be successful there.”

Guimaraes’ Global Nutrition Group successor will be named shortly, according to PepsiCo. Abdalla will be based in Purchase, Guimaraes in Geneva.
 

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