Fast-Moving CG Execs: Ocean Spray, Clorox, Tyson, 3M, ZenWTR, Sauer
Did you or someone on your team recently take a new role? We want to hear about it!
Tom Hayes has been named president and CEO of Ocean Spray Cranberries. The former Tyson Foods president and CEO was elected by the food cooperative’s board of directors.
Hayes spent four years at Tyson, where he introduced a new corporate brand and global growth strategy. He also served as chief supply chain officer at Hillshire Brands and Sara lee, and held leadership roles at US Foods, Kraft and Conagra.
“For everyone who grew up in New England, the Ocean Spray name is not just a global brand — it's part of our culture. The heritage of the company and its 700 farmer owners is one to be celebrated and shared across the world, and I want to ensure it is protected and positioned to grow for a long time to come,” said Hayes. “Joining Ocean Spray at such a pivotal moment, as it approaches its centennial, presents an extraordinary opportunity to look toward the future, tackle new challenges, and ensure that this cooperative will succeed for another hundred years.”
[Note: Ocean Spray’s chief digital and technology officer Jamie Head is a speaker at Analytics Unite!]
Tyson Foods had its own leadership news, announcing that Dean Banks will succeed Noel White as CEO, effective Oct. 3. He will retain his current president title.
Clorox president Linda Rendle has been promoted to CEO, effective Sept. 14. She will also join the board of directors. Rendle, who’s replacing Benno Dorer, has been with the company for 17 years.
Jeffrey R. Lavers is now executive VP, consumer business group at 3M. He’s returning to the consumer group after serving as VP of the automotive and aerospace solutions division in 3M’s transportation and electronics business group. Prior to that role, Lavers led the construction and home improvement markets division in the consumer business group. He joined 3M in 1987.
Bryan Crowley has been named CEO of beverage company ZenWTR. He previously served as CEO of Soylent, a DTC food tech sustainability brand, and was also chief strategy officer at KeVita. There, he repositioned the artisanal probiotic and kombucha brand to help lead its sale to PepsiCo.
Crowley was also president of carbon-neutral spirits brand VEEV Spirits.
ZenWTR, the brainchild of Lance Collins, uses 100% recycled, certified ocean-bound plastic, and operates within a supply chain that uses on reclaimed plastic bottles. "Bryan's excellent track record leading both startup and legacy food and beverage brands, along with his passion and experience bringing sustainable brands to market, aligns perfectly with our vision for disrupting the $20 billion bottled water category," said Collins. “I'm confident that his leadership will bring tangible impact to a beverage market thirsty for change and help us restore coastal environments.”
Sauer Brands named David Starr executive VP and chief financial officer. Starr joins the company from Chicago Custom Foods, which Sauer acquired in May. Sauer counts such brands as Gold Medal, Duke's Mayonnaise, Kernel Seasons, The Spice Hunter, Tasty Shakes, Sauer's and BAMA under its umbrella.
