PepsiCo appoints new EVP government affairs

PURCHASE, N.Y. — PepsiCo has appointed Maura Abeln Smith as its new EVP government affairs, general counsel and corporate secretary, effective May 5.

Smith, who now will be responsible for the company's worldwide legal function and government affairs organization, succeeds current EVP Larry Thompson, who is retiring from the company.

Prior to this position, Smith served for eight years as SVP, general counsel, corporate secretary and global government relations of International Paper. She has worked as a corporate attorney for more than 30 years, Pepsi said.