Praising his “unwavering commitment to high quality products and innovation,” ITO EN North America has promoted Jim Hoagland to Chief Operating Officer, according to a company statement. Hoagland has been with ITO EN North America since August, 2003 and most recently held the role of Executive V.P. of Sales & Marketing for the company, which also announced the elevation of Brad Angevine to the role of Sr. VP, Marketing & Product and Kyoichiro Asai to the position of Sr. VP-Asian & DSD Division.
ITO EN North America, the North American arm of Japan-based ITO EN Ltd., markets a range of tea and coffee brands in the U.S. and Canada, including its popular TEAS’ TEA and Oi Ocha tea brands, Sencha Shot functional drinks and Matcha LOVE platform. Hoagland has played a key role in the company’s sustained investment in innovation, including its first foray outside of the tea segment with last year’s launch of Jay Street Coffee, a line of RTD coffee products.
The company described Hoagland as “an integral part in the business expansion into the natural and specialty markets, mainstream grocery retailers and mass market channels.”
“Since joining our company, Jim has been a driving force behind the success of our company with the support of our key executives Brad and Kyoichiro,” Yosuke J.O. Honjo, President and CEO, ITO EN North America, said in the statement. “We are confident that the strong leadership of this team will help us strategically grow our business and achieve our long-term goals in the United States, Canada and beyond.”