Leadership changes across Aramark, Hershey, Ocean Spray, Sodexo and other food and beverage companies signal continued investment in commercial growth and away-from-home channels.

Aramark names Pat Liebler to lead Aramark Nexus

Aramark Nexus, a newly formed division focused on hospitality and workforce community support services, has named Pat Liebler president and CEO. Liebler previously served as president and CEO of Aramark Refreshments.

The new division is designed to serve hyperscale artificial intelligence data centers and other large-scale operating environments. Aramark Nexus will provide support services for housing, dining, transportation, supply chain, wellness, security, entertainment and recreation.

Aramark created the division earlier this year after a global hyperscale data center provider tapped Aramark to supply integrated hospitality and facilities services across multiple locations. 

Liebler has more than 30 years of hospitality and food service leadership experience. During his Aramark career, in addition to his role with Aramark Refreshments, Liebler also served in senior leadership roles such as regional vice president and vice president of business development and retention.

Hershey taps PepsiCo executive to lead U.S. operations

The Hershey Company named Heather Hoytink president of its U.S. business, effective July 8. Hoytink will oversee Hershey’s U.S. commercial business across its confection, salty snack and protein portfolio. The company said she will lead execution across retail, away-from-home, omnichannel, digital and other emerging channels.

Hoytink joins Hershey from PepsiCo, where she most recently served as senior vice president and chief commercial officer for U.S. Away From Home Beverages. In that role, she led the North America beverage and commercialization agenda for the away-from-home channel and worked with national customers.

As president, Hoytink is expected to advance Hershey’s ONE Hershey commercial model, which is intended to create a more unified approach for retail partners and consumers.

Sodexo names Alicia Kent chief operating officer for schools

Sodexo has appointed Alicia Kent chief operating officer for Schools U.S., effective June 15. While leading operational strategy for Sodexo’s U.S. schools business, Kent will oversee performance, growth, retention and client and community experience.

Kent joins Sodexo from Aramark, where she most recently served as region vice president in collegiate hospitality. She has more than 30 years of experience in food service and hospitality, and her career includes operational and leadership roles in K-12 education.

Ocean Spray appoints Nestlé executive as president and CEO

Ocean Spray Cranberries Inc. has named Abigail Buckwalter president and CEO. Buckwalter joins Ocean Spray from Nestlé Health Science U.S., where she served as CEO for the past three years.

Buckwalter spent 15 years with Nestlé Health Science, holding leadership roles across Europe, Oceania and North America. According to Ocean Spray, she led strategic portfolio reviews, business turnarounds, operational efficiency efforts and innovation pipelines that helped drive market share gains and profitable growth.

Buckwalter said Ocean Spray is positioned to meet changing consumer expectations around taste and health benefits. She said the company will focus on combining consumer insight with operational excellence.

Packaging company Novolex names Dan Debicella strategy chief

Novolex appointed Dan Debicella as chief commercial transformation and strategy officer. In the role, Debicella will lead Novolex’s enterprise growth strategy and support commercial priorities across the food, beverage and specialty packaging manufacturer. Novolex supplies packaging used across foodservice, beverage and related channels, making its commercial strategy relevant to convenience services operators managing product presentation, service efficiency and supplier relationships.

Debicella has more than 25 years of experience in transformation and growth roles. His earlier experience includes roles at Bridgewater Associates, PepsiCo and McKinsey & Co.

Loacker taps food and beverage veteran for South sales

Loacker USA appointed Matt Thomas as head of South region sales, a move that supports the Italian wafer and confectionery company’s expansion across the Southeast.

Thomas will lead sales efforts in the region and support growth across convenience, grocery and specialty retail channels.

Thomas has more than 20 years of food and beverage sales experience. Most recently, Thomas served as director of key accounts East at Icelandic Glacial Water. He also held leadership roles with Our Home, Bauducco, Pretzel Crisps and Activate Drinks.