Andreas Gembler, President and CEO of Bacardi Limited,
announced today the appointment of John P. Esposito as President and
CEO of Bacardi U.S.A., Inc. and the North American Region. He succeeds
Eduardo M. Sardina, who has announced his planned retirement after 33
years of service. Mr. Esposito was formerly President and CEO of Moet
Hennessy USA and assumes his new role at Bacardi with an outstanding
reputation and background of more than 25 years in the spirits and
wine industry. He began his new responsibilities May 15 and will be
based at the regional headquarters in Miami.
"Bacardi is a company of premium products and John Esposito
understands how to manage premier brands from his exceptional
experience managing other top-tier brands in the industry. He is the
kind of engaging, thoughtful and inspiring executive to take Bacardi
U.S.A. and the North American Region to a new level of excellence,"
Mr. Gembler emphasized.
Prior to Bacardi, Mr. Esposito held the position of President and
CEO of Schieffelin & Co. (a fully owned Moet Hennessy Company) in
1999, and retained the same title and responsibilities when it became
Moet Hennessy USA.
"This new challenge is exciting for me and one which I expect will
take me on a path of superb growth, both personally and
professionally," said Mr. Esposito. "Bacardi is a dynamic company with
highly capable leadership and employees, an outstanding portfolio of
brands and strong momentum in the marketplace. I look to accomplish
even greater things in the future."
Bacardi U.S.A. and North America have achieved exceptional growth
over the past years and Mr. Gembler praised Mr. Sardina's years of
successful leadership of the company in growing market share,
developing flagship brand extensions and integrating strategic
acquisitions.
Bacardi Limited is the largest privately held spirits company in
the world and produces and markets a variety of internationally
recognized spirits. Bacardi Limited's brand portfolio consists of more
than 250 brands and labels, including: BACARDI rum, the world's
number-one selling rum; MARTINI & ROSSI vermouth, the world leader in
vermouth; GREY GOOSE vodka, the world leader in ultra premium vodka;
DEWAR'S scotch whisky, the number-one selling blended scotch whisky in
the United States; BOMBAY SAPPHIRE gin, one of the fastest-growing
brands in the spirits industry and the best selling super premium gin
in the United States; CAZADORES blue agave tequila, the top selling
100 percent blue agave tequila worldwide; and other leading brands.
