Brew Dr Names New CEO
Brew Dr Kombucha announced this week it has appointed Dan Stangler as CEO, assuming the role from the brand’s founder Matt Thomas.
Stangler’s CV includes 15 years with General Mills, serving as the business unit director for Annie’s and as senior business unit director, where he’s credited with executing the brand’s first national integrated marketing campaign, and later for the company’s indulgent snacks portfolio.
Thomas, who founded Brew Dr in 2003 as Townshend’s Tea before introducing the kombucha brand in 2008, told BevNET today that the decision to step aside came from a desire to spend more time with his family. He will remain with the company as founder and chairman of the board, and said he intends to continue to help guide the brand’s voice and innovation.
“I’ve got three young kids and there’s only so many hours in the day,” Thomas said. “So while I have loved the nearly 20 years running my own company, I felt I was in a position to add somebody who could really execute at an even higher level and that I would be excited to partner with and learn from as we continue to grow this company.”
As he joins the Portland, Oregon-based company, Stangler said his key focus will be on acceleration. Brew Dr reported positive growth in 2020 and, according to Thomas, is on pace to grow 20% year-over-year in 2021. The brand is available nationwide and in Canada, and has now begun branching out into new categories with the relaunch of its Uplift line of yerba mate drinks.
Drawing from his experience at General Mills, Stangler said he expects to “bring an extra level of partnership” across channels, retailers and distributors to Brew Dr’s operations.
Although kombucha sales have plateaued in the past year, Stangler noted that the category still has a low household penetration of roughly 15% and Brew Dr will aim to draw new consumers into the space. Stangler also hopes to tap into Brew Dr’s history as a tea brand (the company began as an on-premise tea house) and could continue to innovate outside of kombucha.
“With Brew Dr’s tea heritage, I think we’ve got a really broad innovation canvas to play on,” Stangler said, “So I’m looking forward to connecting with consumers and exploring some of the other spaces we might be able to create some exciting beverages in given the tea heritage.”
Former FIJI VP Joins blk.
Functional water brand blk. announced this week that former FIJI Water VP John Kim has joined the company as its new chief operating officer.
According to a press release, Kim will lead the brand’s sourcing initiatives and will oversee logistics and manufacturing operations. Notable for its jet black liquid, blk. is a functional water brand made with antioxidant-rich fulvic trace minerals. The brand is available nationwide in retailers including CVS, Whole Foods and Erewhon.
“I am excited to join the dynamic team at blk. and serve in the role of COO,” Kim said in the release. My goal is to build on blk.’s foundation and rapidly grow the business. I am passionate about our products and will ensure we continue to source the cleanest, purest minerals on the planet.”
Talking Rain Makes Executive Promotions
Talking Rain Beverage Company announced three executive promotions this week. Adam Lapp has been named SVP of sales, Nina Morrison has been promoted to SVP of community experience and Ken Sylvia has assumed the role of COO.
“Adam, Nina and Ken are incredibly dynamic leaders who continue to grow and advance in each of their respective divisions,” said CEO Chris Hall in a press release. “As long-time executives and loyalists of the Talking Rain community, their dedication and commitment is unparalleled in our industry and we’re excited to see them succeed and continue innovating our leadership team in each of their new roles.”
Lapp joined Talking Rain in 2008 and has held various roles including director of sales, regional VP of sales and VP of national accounts.
Morrison has spent 26 years with the Washington-based company and is credited with leading “a number of purpose-driven campaigns” including the brand’s Cheers to Heroes program.
As COO, Sylvia will oversee the company’s sales and supply chain operations, with a focus on “uniting both sales and supply chain functions to produce successful growth results and create optimal value,” the company said in the release.
More Moves from Around the Industry:
- Former Better Booch VP of sales Jordan Shulman announced on LinkedIn that he has joined Australia-based shelf-stable kombucha maker Remedy Drinks as VP of business development, overseeing the brand’s U.S. launch.
- Another Better Booch team member has also moved. National sales operations manager Sarah Bascon has joined apple cider vinegar drink brand VINA Beverages at national sales director, according to LinkedIn.
- Soylent has promoted Jamie Sullivan, formerly director of communications, to senior director of marketing. The company also named Domenica Herrick as director of ecommerce and digital marketing, and promoted Shirlene Kyin to director of business operations.