E-Malt.com News article: US: MillerCoors President and Chief Commercial Officer Tom Long becomes the company’s new CEO

SABMiller plc and Molson Coors Brewing announced on April, 27 the appointment of MillerCoors President and Chief Commercial Officer Tom Long as the company's new chief executive officer following the decision of current CEO Leo Kiely to retire effective June 1, 2011

"Tom is a seasoned and thoughtful business leader perfectly suited to take the reins from Leo and lead the next chapter of growth and development at MillerCoors," said Peter H. Coors, chairman of the board, Molson Coors Brewing Company. "A veteran of the U.S. and global beverage business, Tom has over two decades of experience in senior sales, marketing and general management roles. In his current role, Tom has delivered significant progress against all of our commercial goals since the launch of MillerCoors in July 2008."

Long's succession as CEO and Kiely's retirement are consistent with plans made in late 2007 when Molson Coors and SABMiller originally struck the deal to form their joint venture MillerCoors with the goal of creating a stronger, more competitive U.S. brewer. The two leaders have shared duties in the Office of the CEO and President since September of 2010 in preparation for this move.

"Tom brings extensive experience to the table having served previously as chief executive officer and chief marketing officer of Miller Brewing Company," said SABMiller Chief Executive Graham Mackay. "He is a savvy operator with a keen intellect and boundless energy. It is gratifying to see his partnership with Leo produce the kind of orderly and smooth management succession that we envisioned during the integration planning process."

MillerCoors brews, markets and sells the MillerCoors portfolio of brands in the U.S. and Puerto Rico. MillerCoors is the second-largest beer company in America, capturing nearly 30 percent of U.S. beer sales. MillerCoors operates eight major breweries in the U.S., as well as the Leinenkugel's craft brewery in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin, and two microbreweries, the 10th Street Brewery in Milwaukee and the Blue Moon Brewing Company at Coors Field in Denver.


29 April, 2011