Bang Energy has named food and beverage industry veteran Kathy Cole as its new COO, responsible for overseeing the “integration of a new high-performance operations model,” according to the company. She will report to Bang founder and CEO Jack Owoc.
The announcement comes two days after Bang’s parent company, Vital Pharmaceuticals (VPX), filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, receiving a $100 million loan from its syndicate of lenders to help maintain operations while navigating the bankruptcy process.
Cole comes to the Florida-based energy drink brand from Harvest Sherwood Food Distributors where she served as president and COO. Prior to Sherwood, she spent over 13 years at PepsiCo Frito-Lay in various sales and finance roles, including Region Vice President – Sales, and before that spent 14 years with Coca-Cola Enterprises.
“I am honored to join the Bang Energy team with an eye toward growth while remaining true to the core values on which the company was founded,” Cole said in a press release. “As an industry veteran, I have watched Jack Owoc build his private company with laser focus, passion, relentless commitment to quality, and tireless innovation in a highly competitive market – a true David vs. Goliath story. I am optimistic about the future and eager to continue to meet the growing demands of Bang Energy’s consumers and customers around the globe.”
Cole is also a member of the Network of Executive Women (NEW) and Women’s Inclusion Network (WIN), is a sponsor and mentor for the Leadership Investment for Tomorrow, and is an executive sponsor of the Diversity & Inclusion Council.
“With nearly three decades of high-level food and beverage experience and a proven track record in operational leadership, Kathy Cole is uniquely qualified to build upon Bang Energy’s success and seamlessly integrate supply chain, distribution, operations, sales, and finance,” Owoc said in the release. “We are confident that Kathy’s skills and longtime industry relationships will fuel Bang Energy’s strategic growth as we transition to a 100% vertically operated decentralized distribution model.”
Bang is currently in the process of rebuilding its nationwide DSD network following its split from PepsiCo’s distribution network earlier this year. The company said this week that it has currently secured 269 independent distribution houses around the country.