Campbell Soup Co. appoints Ed Carolan president of its Campbell Fresh Division, which includes Bolthouse Farms beverages, salad dressings and carrots, Garden Fresh Gourmet salsa, hummus and dips and fresh soup. The division accounts for approximately $1 billion in net sales.
Carolan will succeed Jeff Dunn, who is leaving Campbell to become CEO of Juicero, Inc., the San Francisco-based startup that recently launched the first connected countertop cold-press juicer. Campbell has invested $13.5 million in Juicero, which is focused on inventing products, services and experiences that help people consume more fresh fruits and vegetables.
The company said Dunn will remain involved in Acre Venture Partners, the independent venture capital operation to which Campbell committed $125 million in 2016, as a venture partner. Campbell also will retain its seat on Acre’s investment committee, as well as its board observer seat at Juicero.
"Jeff has made important contributions to Campbell during his time with the company," noted Campbell’s president and CEO Denise Morrison. "We wish him well as he embarks on a new and exciting chapter of his career, and I look forward to continuing to collaborate with him through Acre Venture Partners and in his new role at Juicero."
Carolan and Dunn will work together to manage the transition over the next several weeks.
Carolan joined Campbell in 2001 and has successfully led several significant businesses and functions. Most recently, he served as president of Integrated Global Services (IGS). Formed in January 2015, IGS is Campbell’s global shared services organization focused on building enterprise capabilities while lowering costs. In his role, Carolan created and implemented a business model designed to unlock value for the company, build new capabilities and deliver faster and more efficient services. Under Carolan’s leadership, IGS drove cost savings that contributed to the company’s gross margin expansion and record cash flow from operations in fiscal 2016.
Bethmara Kessler, previously vice president of corporate audit, was named senior vice president of IGS, succeeding Carolan. Kessler will join Campbell’s leadership team and become a corporate officer.
Kessler joined Campbell as vice president of corporate audit in 2014 from Warner Music Group, where she had served as senior vice president, internal audit, and co-chief compliance officer. Before that, she co-founded and worked for the consulting firm Fraud and Risk Advisory Group. Earlier in her career, she served on the executive leadership team at Limited Brands and played a key role in helping implement the company's shared services processes and capabilities.
Both positions are effective Nov.1.
