Jones Soda Co. appoints new president, CEO

SEATTLE Jones Soda Co. has appointed a new president, CEO of its company, the board of directors announced Friday.

The beverage company has appointed Joth Ricci president, CEO effective May 1, 2009. Ricci, who has served as the Jones Soda’s COO since last year, succeeds Stephen Jones, who is stepping down, but will continue as a member of the Board of Directors.

Prior to joining Jones Soda, Mr. Ricci served as GM of Portland, Ore.-based Columbia Distributing Company. During his time with Columbia Distributing, Ricci also held the position VP human Resources & process improvement, as well as regional VP sales & marketing. Before joining Columbia Distributing he spent more than nine years with McNeil Consumer Healthcare / Johnson & Johnson in various sales and marketing management roles.