Consumer >> CEO Interviews >> January 3, 2005
JOHN J. LENNON recently joined Seattle-based Pyramid Breweries Inc., as
President and Chief Executive Officer. Prior to that he served as
President and Chief Executive Officer of Beck's North America, a
division of Inbev, the world's largest brewer, with responsibility for
the USA, Canada and the Caribbean. In this capacity, he created and
executed the Build Beck's growth strategy that arrested 10-year volume
and share declines. He is a dynamic senior executive with broad general
management, marketing, sales and operations successes in consumer goods.
Mr. Lennon has a solid track record of delivering exceptional results
within large, complex businesses, and in merger, acquisition, turnaround
and new venture startup environments. Mr. Lennon began his professional
career in 1981 at The Nestl Company, where he rose rapidly through the
marketing ranks, serving as a key member of the Toll House Morsels brand
team before being appointed Brand Manager on the company's largest
brand, Taster's Choice Coffee. He was recruited to Guinness America in
1984 as part of the company's effort to spearhead a professional
marketing-driven culture. He was quickly promoted to Group Marketing
Manager on Guinness Stout, Harp Lager and Bass Ale. He was again
promoted in 1988 and relocated to Dublin as Director of Marketing for
the Lager Brands Group within the company's crown jewel and leading
profit generator, Guinness Ireland, where he delivered seven point share
growth in the industry's most competitive sector. He was recruited back
to the US by Grand Metropolitan in 1989, and became Vice President and
Director of Marketing for the company's 12 imported beers. He holds an
MBA in Marketing and Finance from Syracuse University and a BA in
History and Journalism from State University of New York at Cortland. He
also earned a Certificate in Brewing from the Center for Brewing Studies
in San Francisco. Profile
Mr. Lennon: Pyramid is actually celebrating its 20th year in business.
Based in Seattle, it is one of the pioneers of the Pacific
