Three new CEOs were named to leading food and beverage firms in October. The only surprise came at Wm. Wrigley Jr. Co., which hired the first person outside of the Wrigley family as president and chief executive of the Chicago gum and candy maker.
William Perez, 59, replaces Bill Wrigley Jr., who also was chairman. Wrigley will now serve as the company's new executive chairman. Perez, 59, had been president/CEO of athletic apparel maker Nike Inc. until earlier this year. He was an executive at SC Johnson for 34 years, including eight years as president/CEO.
Jim Jenness remains chairman of Kellogg Co. but hands over the CEO reins on Dec. 31 to COO David Mackay, 51. Mackay joined Kellogg Australia in 1985 and, except for a brief time away, has held numerous management positions in the U.S., Australia and Europe. Jenness, formerly of Kelloggs longtime ad agency Leo Burnett, has led the Battle Creek, Mich., company since 2004.
No surprise was the ascension of August Busch IV, who will become the fifth generation of his family to run Anheuser-Busch Cos. when he becomes president and CEO on Dec. 1. Busch, 42, head of the St. Louis companys U.S. beer operations since 2002, will replace Patrick Stokes, 64, who had held those positions since 2002 and who will become chairman of the board. Retiring as chairman is Busch's father, August Busch III, who will remain a member of the board.
