BOSTON, Feb. 14, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- The Boston
Beer Company, Inc. (NYSE: SAM) today announced that it has selected
Dave Burwick to succeed Martin Roper as President and Chief Executive
Officer. It is expected Burwick will assume the role during
the second quarter. Jim Koch will continue in his role as
Company Founder and Chairman.
Burwick has an established track record of innovation and
business success in the beverage and consumer goods industries and
has served on Boston Beer's Board of Directors since 2005. In late
2012, Burwick was named President and CEO of Peet's Coffee. Under
Burwick's leadership, Peet's has more than doubled its sales and
profits over the past five years. Prior to joining Peet's, Burwick
served as President of North
America for Weight Watchers and in numerous leadership roles
over 20 years at PepsiCo, including CMO of Pepsi-Cola North
America.
"The search committee unanimously agreed that Dave Burwick has the business experience and
skills to lead the company forward and will be a great culture fit,
appreciating how unique and special Boston Beer is as an
organization," said Jim Koch. "We
took our time to find the right person with the right intangibles –
character, insights, personality and leadership skills."
"I'm thrilled to join the Boston Beer team and continue the
mission of brewing great beers and winning in the beer and cider
categories," said Dave Burwick. "As
a Director for over 12 years, I have admired the accomplishments of
Jim, Martin and the team, and I share their passion for brewing
quality, and their commitment to drinkers, wholesalers and
retailers that is demonstrated in everything the company does. I
look forward to leading the team and believe the future is bright
for Samuel Adams and all our other
brands."
Burwick's appointment follows Martin
Roper's February 2017
announcement that he planned to step down in 2018 after leading the
company for more than 17 years as President and CEO to explore
other opportunities. Under Roper's leadership, the company
quadrupled, growing from scrappy up-and-comer to the most
successful leader of the Craft beer revolution and a leading player
in the hard cider and high-end beer categories. It is anticipated
that Roper will resign as President and CEO, and as a Director when
Burwick joins the company.
"I am grateful for Martin's leadership of the company and his
significant contribution to the incredible growth we've seen over
the past two decades," shared Jim
Koch. "Under his leadership, we were able to maintain
our entrepreneurial, innovative culture, while building a highly
professional organization. Equally as important as our performance
under Martin's stewardship, I am grateful for his partnership and
friendship, as we built Boston Beer from the ground up. No
company could have had a better CEO than Martin Roper."
"I am incredibly proud of everything that the employees of
Boston Beer have accomplished over my 23-year tenure and I know
that they and our leadership team are ready to work with Dave to
continue to build on our current momentum," said Martin Roper. "I am excited to see where Dave
will lead the Company."
Boston Beer's board-appointed search committee, which included
Jim Koch, worked closely with
executive recruitment firm, Korn
Ferry, to conduct the year-long, comprehensive search that
included interviewing and evaluating a broad spectrum of quality
candidates.
ABOUT THE BOSTON BEER
COMPANY
The Boston Beer Company, Inc. (NYSE: SAM) began in
1984 and today brews more than 60 styles of Samuel Adams beer. Our portfolio of brands
also includes Angry Orchard Hard Cider, Twisted Tea, Truly Spiked
& Sparkling, as well as several other craft beer brands brewed
by A&S Brewing, our craft beer incubator. For more
information, please visit our investor relations website at
www.bostonbeer.com, which includes links to all of our respective
brand websites.
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SOURCE Boston Beer Company