WASHINGTON, D.C. – The American Beverage Association (ABA) today announced the election of five members to its Board of Directors.

The member elected for a first term is Steve Ford, CEO, LinPepCo Partnership.

Those elected to serve for a second term are: Jerry Fowden, CEO, Cott Corporation; Seth Goldman, president and TeaEO, Honest Tea; Andrew Moore, co-president, Bigfoot Beverages; and Anthony Varni, president and CEO, Varni Brothers Corporation.

“I am pleased to welcome these exceptional leaders in our industry to ABA’s Board of Directors,” said Claude Nielsen, chair of ABA’s Board of Directors and president and chief executive officer of Coca-Cola Bottling Company United, Inc.  “Our industry is known for its leadership in advancing meaningful solutions, and I look forward to the fresh perspectives and valuable insight of our new board members as we continue our commitment to our consumers, customers and communities.” 

“The ABA Board of Directors provides critical leadership and decision-making which are vital to presenting a unified voice as an industry,” said Susan K. Neely, ABA president and chief executive officer.  “We are privileged to have such a committed and talented group of industry leaders at the helm of our organization, and we anticipate that the diverse experience our new board members bring will add significant value.”

Members of ABA’s Board of Directors serve a four-year term and participate in semi-annual meetings that help shape association policy and initiatives.  With the addition of these members, there are now 29 members on ABA’s Board of Directors.

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ELECTED BOARD MEMBER BIOS:

Steve Ford

LinPepCo Partnership

Steve Ford is chief executive officer of LinPepCo Partnership, a company that employs about 300 people and has been an active member of ABA for 60 years.  Mr. Ford is a member of the Board of Trustees for the Junior Achievement of Lincoln, president of the Nebraska Beverage Association, and a past member of the Board of Directors for Pepsi-Cola Bottlers Association.

Seth Goldman

Honest Tea

Seth Goldman is co-founder and TeaEO of Honest Tea, which was founded in 1998 and acquired by The Coca-Cola Company in 2011.  Mr. Goldman serves on the boards of Bethesda Green, Beyond Meat, EcoLogic Solutions and the state of Maryland’s Economic Development Commission.  He sits on the Advisory Boards of Net Impact and the Yale School of Management. 

Jerry Fowden

Cott Corporation

Jerry Fowden is chief executive officer of Cott Corporation, and previously served as president of the company’s international operating segments; interim president, North America; and interim president of the company’s United Kingdom operating segment.  He also has served as chief executive officer of Trader Media Group Ltd., and as a member of the Board of Directors of its parent Guardian Media Group PLC.   

J. Andrew (Andy) Moore

Bigfoot Beverages

J. Andrew Moore is co-president of Bigfoot Beverages (Pepsi-Cola Eugene, Coos Bay & Newport and Northwest Vending Company), and president of Pepsi-Cola Bottling Company of Bend.  He serves as president of the Oregon Soft Drink Association, is a member of the board of the Pepsi-Cola Bottlers Association and serves on the boards of Summit Bank, Lane Community College Foundation, Cascade Health Solutions, Willamette Valley Council of the Oregon Community Foundation, Eugene Country Club and the Oregon Track Club.

Anthony J. Varni

Varni Brothers Corporation

Anthony J. Varni is president/CEO of Varni Brothers Corporation, a family-owned, independent 7UP bottling company headquartered in Modesto, Calif.  Mr. Varni has served as board president of the 7UP Bottlers Association, past president of the California/Nevada Soft Drink Association and as a board member of the Plastic Recycling Corporation of California.  He is an active member of the California Bottled Water Association, and serves as a board member of the Stanislaus County Fair Foundation. 

The American Beverage Association is the trade association representing the broad spectrum of companies that manufacture and distribute non-alcoholic beverages in the United States.  For more information on ABA, please visit the association’s Web site at http://www.ameribev.orgor call the ABA communications team at (202) 463-6770.

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