We’d like to officially welcome to our Board of Directors 10 newly elected and reelected members.

Claude Nielsen, chair of ABA’s Board of Directors and president and chief executive officer of Coca-Cola Bottling Company United, Inc., said in our news release today about the election:

“We are pleased to welcome new industry leaders to ABA’s Board of Directors and retain additional leadership to continue their important service.  Together with the valuable insight and experience of these members, the Board will continue its work to help our industry serve its customers, consumers and communities by advancing meaningful solutions to complex societal challenges.”

Three members were elected for a first term: Sally Hargis, vice president, corporate strategy, Ozarks Coca-Cola/Dr Pepper Bottling Company; John Kalil, vice president, Kalil Bottling Company; and Gary Smith, president and CEO, Big Red, Inc.

Those elected to serve for a second term are: Brian Charneski, president, L & E Bottling Company, Inc.; Stefan Kozak, CEO, Red Bull North America, Inc.; Larry Lordi, president, Coca-Cola Bottling Company of Northern New England; and Cliff Ritchie, president and CEO, Carolina Beverage Corp.

In addition, three current Board members, who are serving based on an appointment by the Chair, were elected by the ABA Membership. These members are: Zein Abdalla, president, PepsiCo, Inc.; Tim Brown, chairman, president and CEO, Nestlé Waters North America, Inc.; and Jack Pelo, president and CEO, Swire Coca-Cola, USA.

Members of our Board of Directors serve a four-year term and participate in semi-annual meetings that help shape association policy and initiatives.  With the addition of these members, we now have 29 members on our Board of Directors.

Please join us in welcoming them, and read more by clicking here.