LOUISVILLE, Ky. (July 15, 2015) – – – Rooibee Red Tea Company proudly announces the hiring of their new chief executive officer, Bryon Evans. Evans has 20 years of considerable experience in consumer product goods, with a significant emphasis on brand management, beverage distribution, sales, and executive leadership. As CEO, Evans will handle all day-to-day operations for the company’s ready-to-drink organic rooibos tea portfolio. For more information, visit RooibeeRedTea.com.
“This is a terrific opportunity to join Rooibee Red Tea Company as they expand their brand with the Rooibee Roo kids’ line, as well as offering new BPA-free, resealable PET bottles for all products,” said Evans. “There is nothing else on the market like it; rooibos is a unique plant with excellent health properties. I look forward to joining the team and providing direction for the national expansion of these beverage brands, as well as creating sustainable distribution and supplier partnerships. We provide unique tea beverage options for busy families who are looking for healthier options.”
Most recently, Evans served as co-founder and chief operating officer of Strategy & Execution, Inc., a strategic advisory firm for consumer product goods, based in Detroit, Mich. In this capacity, Evans worked directly with the nation’s largest retailers, brand owners and suppliers, assisting with the introduction of entrepreneurial brands, and shepherding their growth to market. Evans acted as COO of J&M Concepts, overseeing multiple beverage brands including Realtree Outdoor Energy. Evans served as vice president of sales and marketing for Buckeye Distributing, an independently owned beverage distributor in the Midwest and Mid-South. He also held numerous positions with Red Bull North America, Pepsi Bottling Company, and Amoco Oil Company.
In addition to Evans, Rooibee Red Tea Company added new board member William Meissner. Meissner oversaw Tetra Pak’s nutritional beverage category, served as director of brand development and brand director at SoBe beverages, which was eventually acquired by PepsiCo. He led marketing for FUZE Beverage as their chief marketing officer, helping grow the brand which eventually became part of the Coca-Cola Company. Meissner served as President of Talking Rain Beverages, helping rebrand their popular Sparkling Ice™ brand as well as CEO of Jones Soda Company. Meissner was the first employee and CEO of Tazza Pronto, a company dedicated to bringing specialty coffee to the single-cup segment, which eventually sold to Ito En, a Japanese multi-national beverage company. He joins current board members Phoebe Wood, Benton Keith, Ted Nixon and Charles Schnatter.
About Rooibee Red Tea Company
Rooibee Red Tea Company is the only full-line of bottled USDA organic red tea made from the South African rooibos bush – a legume that grows only on the western cape of South Africa. High in unique antioxidants for extra health benefits, the teas are naturally caffeine-free which eliminates any chemical processes and low in tannins leaving no bitter aftertaste. The company was founded in 2009 in Louisville with a focus on providing a healthier drink the whole family can enjoy. First sold in area farmers markets, the parent line, Rooibee Red Tea, comes in five flavors: watermelon mint, cranberry pomegranate, peach, vanilla chai and unsweetened. The kid’s line comes in mango, cherry, and raspberry. Both are available in stores and online at RooibeeRedTea.com. For more information, follow on Twitter and like on Facebook.