Nestlé Waters North America announces new president and CEO

STAMFORD, Conn. – Current Nestlé Waters North America president and CEO Kim Jeffery will step down from the role after 20 years, to assume a nonexecutive chairman position on Feb. 1, 2013, the company announced on Thursday. He will be succeeded by Tim Brown, current president and CEO of Nestlé Canada.

Brown, 49, has served as president and CEO of Nestlé Canada since 2010, overseeing such global brands as Lean Cuisine, Kit Kat and Smarties. Previously, Brown spent 22 years at Nestlé Waters North America as EVP retail operations and general manager.

During his time at Nestlé Canada, Brown oversaw the introduction of popular new products, developed the Nestlé Canada Vision and Values, and helped Nestlé Canada earn recognition as one of the Best Workplaces in Canada in 2012.

"I am excited to continue to build on the legacy achieved by Kim Jeffery," Brown said. "Kim led the company from a single brand to the largest bottled water company in North America, while emphasizing environmental responsibility, and cultivating the very best corporate culture in the food and beverage business."

Jeffery, 64, joined the company in 1978 as central division sales manager, eventually assuming the company's top position in 1992. Under his leadership, NWNA has grown from a $650 million in revenues business to the leading bottled water company in North America — with sales of $4.4 billion in 2011.

“The business success and strong values-based culture we built as a team transcends any individual, and having known and worked with Tim for more than 25 years, I know he is committed to building on this strong foundation as he leads the organization to continued growth and success," Jeffery said.