Kraft Heinz Announces New Senior Leadership Team

(RTTNews) - H.J. Heinz Company said that today's announcement of The Kraft Heinz Company's senior leadership team marks another major milestone in the soon-to-be-completed merger.

Effective upon the close of the merger transaction, The Kraft Heinz Company senior leadership team is:

Paulo Basilio is appointed EVP and Chief Financial Officer. Basilio joined Heinz in June 2013 as Chief Financial Officer. He is responsible for all the finance functions and the investor relations area.

Matt Hill is appointed Zone President of Europe. Hill has been Zone President of Heinz Europe since June 2013. Prior to his current appointment, Mr. Hill was President of Heinz UK & Ireland. Hill joined Heinz in 2010 as Chief Marketing Officer for Heinz UK.

Emin Mammadov is appointed Zone President of Russia, India and Middle East, Turkey & Africa. Mr. Mammadov joined Heinz in 2006 as Marketing Director for Heinz Russia and has been President of RIMEA since 2013.

Michael Mullen is appointed SVP of Corporate and Government Affairs. He will be responsible for leading internal and external communications, CSR and government affairs. He will also have responsibility for the Company Foundation, real estate and facilities. Mr. Mullen joined Heinz in 1998.

Eduardo Pelleissone is appointed EVP of Global Operations. In this role, Mr. Pelleissone will have direct accountability for the Company's supply chain, quality, procurement and operations functions in North America and globally. Mr. Pelleissone joined Heinz in July 2013 as Head of Operations.

Marcos Romaneiro is appointed Zone President of Asia Pacific. Romaneiro has been Zone President of Heinz Asia Pacific since June 2014. Romaneiro joined Heinz in 2013 as SVP Global Finance.

Francisco Sa is appointed Zone President of Latin America. Mr. Sa joined Heinz in June 2014 as Zone President of Heinz Latin America. Sa served as Zone President for AB InBev's Latin America South business from 2012 to 2014.

Jim Savina is promoted to SVP, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary. Savina joined Kraft in 2013, serving in legal leadership positions and as Chief Compliance Officer. In his new role, Savina will lead the Company's legal function, including corporate governance & securities, transactions, regulatory, intellectual property, litigation and labor & employment.

Melissa Werneck is appointed SVP Global Human Resources, Performance and IT. Werneck joined Heinz in July of 2013 and led Heinz's talent development and the Integrated Management System, which includes the Management by Objectives (MBO) Program.

George Zoghbi is appointed Chief Operating Officer of U.S. commercial business. In his role, Mr. Zoghbi will lead the Company's more than $19 billion U.S. business comprised of five commercial business units. Zoghbi has been COO at Kraft since February 2015. Zoghbi joined Kraft in 2007 as Vice President and Area Director of Australia and New Zealand.

Given the size of the combined business, Canada will now become a stand-alone Zone reporting directly to Bernardo Hees. The President of Canada will be announced in August. Chris Kempczinski will remain with the Company until September to assist the Kraft Canadian and Overseas Business transition. Chris will assist with the integration in Canada, and support the roll-out of Kraft brands outside North America. Most recently, Chris was EVP, Growth and President, International.

As part of Bernardo Hees' extended leadership team, the following will report to Mr. Zoghbi, head of the U.S. commercial business:

Eduardo Luz is appointed President of the U.S. Ketchup, Condiments, Sauces, Dressings and Frozen business. This includes the entire Kraft and Heinz U.S. condiments and frozen portfolio. Luz joined Heinz in June 2013 and was rapidly promoted to serve as Zone President of Heinz North America.

Joe Fragnito is promoted to President of the U.S. Beverages & Snack Nuts business. Mr. Fragnito joined Kraft in 2000 and most recently was VP of Marketing for Meal Combinations, including Lunchables.

Howard Friedman is appointed President of the U.S. Cheese & Dairy business. Mr. Friedman joined Kraft in 1997 and most recently served as President of Kraft's U.S. Cheese & Dairy division. Previously he was a President in the Kraft Sales organization.

Mark Magnesen is appointed President of the U.S. Meat business. Mr. Magnesen joined Kraft in 1991 and most recently served as President of the Oscar Mayer division, which includes management of Oscar Mayer and Lunchables.

Tom Lopez is promoted to President of the U.S. Meal Solutions & Desserts business. Mr. Lopez joined Kraft in 1999 and most recently was VP of Marketing for Refreshment Beverages.

David Toy is promoted to President of U.S. Foodservice. Mr. Toy joined Heinz in 2008 in the Finance/IT area. Most recently Toy served as Managing Director of Heinz's North American Foodservice business.

Sergio Nahuz is promoted to Head of U.S. Sales. Mr. Nahuz joined Heinz in July 2013 as CFO of Heinz Europe and most recently served as Managing Director of Heinz's U.S. Consumer Products business.

Andre Maciel is promoted to head of U.S. Commercial Finance including U.S. Budget and Business Planning (BBP), Zero Based Budgeting (ZBB) and Revenue Management. Mr. Maciel joined Heinz in 2013 as the global leader of BBP and Revenue Management. Andre will report dotted-line to Paulo Basilio, CFO.

Nina Barton is promoted to SVP of Marketing Innovation, Research and Development. Ms. Barton joined Kraft in 2011 and most recently was VP of Marketing for Coffee.

Diane Johnson May, EVP of Human Resources at Kraft, will leave in December after 35 years with the Company. From now until December, Ms. Johnson May has agreed to work full-time as a close advisor to Bernardo Hees and Melissa Werneck.

Tom Corley, EVP, U.S. Sales at Kraft, will work with Sergio Nahuz, Head of U.S. Sales during a transition period until November.

The Company also announced the departures of the following Kraft executives either upon completion of the merger or within 30 days: James Kehoe, EVP and Chief Financial Officer; Kim K. Rucker, EVP, Corporate & Legal Affairs, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary; Robert Gorski, EVP, Integrated Supply Chain; Jane Hilk, Chief Marketing Officer and President, Beverages & Snack Nuts; Dave Ciesinski, President of Meal Solutions; Fred Paglia, President, Foodservice and U.S. Growth Channels. As previously communicated, Chuck Davis, EVP, Research, Development, Quality and Innovation, will also be leaving the organization.

In March, Kraft agreed to merge with H.J. Heinz Co. which will create the fifth-largest food and beverage company in the world.