Alford named as next Nestle USA CEO

Alford is currently President and CEO of Nestlé Brands Company, an operating unit of Nestlé USA.

21/10/05 Nestlé USA has announced that Brad Alford has been named Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Nestlé USA effective January 1, 2006. Alford will succeed Joe Weller, who is retiring after 37 years with Nestlé, the last 11 years as Chairman and CEO.

Under Weller’s leadership, Nestlé has achieved seven consecutive years of unprecedented real internal growth and profit growth. Through multiple acquisitions and divestitures, Weller is responsible for shaping Nestlé’s U.S. brand portfolio into the powerhouse that it is today. His most recent accomplishments include the successful acquisitions of PowerBar in 1999, Purina in 2001, and Chef America in 2002, as well as becoming the majority shareholder in Dreyer’s Grand Ice Cream Holdings in 2003 after combining it with Nestlé Ice Cream Company.

“After 37 years with Nestlé, it gives me great pride to turn my role over to Brad Alford,” said Weller. “His comprehensive business expertise and hands-on experience directing several Nestlé businesses both in the U.S. and abroad position him well to bring Nestlé to a new level in the U.S.”

Alford is currently President and CEO of Nestlé Brands Company, an operating unit of Nestlé USA which includes brands such as NESTLÉ CRUNCH, WONKA, NESTLÉ TOLL HOUSE, NESTLÉ COFFEE-MATE, NESCAFÉ TASTER’S CHOICE, LIBBY’S JUICY JUICE, and NESTLÉ NESQUIK. Alford is also responsible for Nestlé’s North American FoodServices business and Foreign Trade and Sales Divisions. In his new role, Alford will add responsibility for Nestlé Prepared Foods Company, an operating unit of Nestlé USA with brands such as STOUFFER’S, STOUFFER’S LEAN CUISINE, BUITONI, and HOT POCKETS, as well as Nestlé Business Services, a business unit providing support services across multiple Nestlé operating companies.

Alford has held various leadership positions within the company since joining Nestlé in 1980 as a sales trainee for Carnation Company (Nestlé acquired Carnation in 1985). He was head of sales and marketing for the Friskies PetCare Division of Nestlé Australia in 1989. Returning to Nestlé USA in 1992, he was president of a business unit within the FoodServices Division and in 1996 was named president of the FoodServices Division. In 1998, Brad returned to Australia as regional head of the Nestlé Oceania market. Upon his return to the U.S. in 2000, Alford become president of the Confections & Snacks Division of Nestlé USA and was named president and CEO of Nestlé Brands Company in 2003.