US-based food and beverage company, Kraft Heinz, plans to appoint chief executive officer Miguel Patricio as its Chair, subject to his re-election at the Kraft Heinz 2022 annual meeting of stockholders. 

After years of distinguished service, Chair of the Board of Directors Alexandre Behring will retire following the end of his term at the 2022 annual meeting.

Prior to joining Kraft Heinz in 2019, Patricio spent more than 20 years at Anheuser-Busch InBev (AB InBev), where he served as part of the executive leadership team in various positions, driving organic growth and industry-leading margins. He was the global chief marketing officer at AB InBev from 2012-2018.

“We are very pleased with the progress experienced by the company in advancing its strategic plan during the past few years under Miguel’s leadership and see his elevation to Chair as a natural progression, providing a continuation of strong and consistent stewardship to guide the company well into the future. I have enjoyed my time working alongside Miguel, the Board, and the Kraft Heinz leadership team,” said Behring. 

“Alex’s contribution to Kraft Heinz has been invaluable and his impact will continue to be felt for many years. I am truly honored at the opportunity to succeed him as Chair,” said Patricio.

“On behalf of Berkshire Hathaway, I would like to thank Alex for his dedication, leadership, and service to Kraft Heinz. Alex and I have worked closely together since 2013, when we both served on the H.J. Heinz Board, and I know our relationship will extend well into the future,” said Greg Abel, member of the Kraft Heinz Board of Directors and Vice Chair, Non-Insurance Operations of Berkshire Hathaway. “We look forward to working with Miguel as Chair as his vision for the Company’s transformation continues to move the business forward.”

The company also announced that the Board of Directors has nominated James Park of Fitbit at Google to stand for election at the Kraft Heinz 2022 annual meeting.

“I am also thrilled by the prospect of adding James Park to our Board,” Patricio said. “Technology and digital capabilities are extremely important elements of our continuing business strategy. His background and experience will be especially valuable to Kraft Heinz and the Board as we begin the next phase of our transformation.”

Park, 45, is a technology entrepreneur who co-founded Fitbit, Inc., a connected health and fitness company, that was acquired by Google in January 2021. 

Park is vice president and general manager, Fitbit at Google. He previously served as chief executive officer, president, and member of the board of directors of Fitbit since 2007, and as chairman of the board of directors from 2015, until its acquisition. He is a leader in the technology industry with a strong track record of ideating and operating successful technology companies.