E-Malt.com News article: USA: Heineken USA appointed new Chief Executive Officer

Heineken USA announced on April 26 that Andrew J. Thomas, 38, has been appointed President and Chief Executive Officer of the company, succeeding Frans van der Minne who returns to Amsterdam after five years in the position. Thomas is the first American to head the US business unit.

Effective later this year, Thomas' appointment returns him to Heineken USA, where he started his career with Heineken in 1995. He was transferred to Heineken International in Amsterdam in 2000 as Regional Export Manager of Central and South America, Caribbean, Africa and the Middle East before being promoted in 2003 to Managing Director for the Middle East/North Africa operating company.

"I am very pleased to be returning to Heineken USA at such an exciting time, with several major initiatives underway that have the potential to transform the company, especially the June launch of Heineken Premium Light Lager," said Thomas. "My years abroad with Heineken have given me a sense not only of the company’s global presence and perspective, but also for our total commitment to quality. I look forward to building on the momentum Frans and his team have established in this market."

Van der Minne has served as President of Heineken USA since 2000, during which time the importer achieved five consecutive years of volume growth, while greatly expanding distribution. He will return to the parent company in Amsterdam, where he will be Group Director of Human Resources and a member of the Heineken International Executive Committee.

Thomas' prior positions at Heineken USA included Strategic Planning & Distribution, Operations Planning and Market Research, subsequent to beginning his career in marketing at Kraft Foods.

Thomas is a native of New Bedford, MA. He holds an MBA (Magna Cum Laude) in Marketing from the University of Rochester Simon Graduate School of Business and a BS (Magna Cum Laude) from Bryant College (RI).


30 April, 2005