The Center for Innovation & Growth and Kamm Lecture Series Present:
Green Pockets, Green Hearts
Speaker: Brent Willis
October 29, 2007
Strosacker Student Union
Brent’s expertise in water sanitation, bottling and recycling was the the basis for his critique of the beverage business. He focused on the tension between economic growth and environmental responsibility.
BRENT DAVID WILLIS
Brent Willis is the Chief Executive Officer for Cott Corporation, one of the world’s largest beverage companies and the world’s largest retailer brand beverage company. He assumed leadership of the company in May of 2006. Prior to joining Cott, he was President of InBev Asia Pacific, the world’s largest beer company, after serving for a number of years as the Chief Commercial Officer. Mr. Willis has also held numerous other senior leadership roles including President North Latin America for the Coca-Cola Company and Vice President Marketing International for Kraft Foods.
Mr. Willis began his career as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Army in 1982. He served in various combat arms capacities around the world to include assignments in the 1st Cavalry Division and the Pentagon. He received numerous decorations to include two Meritorious Service Medals, two Army Commendation Medals, the Army Achievement Medal, and the Airborne Parachutist badge during his military career; he was honorably discharged in 1987 with the rank of Captain.
Following government service, Mr. Willis joined Kraft Inc. in the United States in Brand Management. He then became the Director of Marketing and Business Development for Asia Pacific for Kraft General Foods where he launched the Kraft Brand in China in 1992. Mr. Willis was subsequently appointed Vice-President of Marketing-International and then posted to Venezuela as General Manager. He joined Coca-Cola in 1996 in Mexico, before taking over as President North Latin America.
He received his BSc. Degree in Engineering from the US Military Academy at West Point and an MBA Degree from the University of Chicago.
Mr. Willis is a US citizen that has lived abroad most of his life. He is married to Lisa and has three daughters, Alexandra, Sasha, and Caroline. He has been voted an Outstanding Young Man of America, one of the Top CEO’s in Latin America, has received several awards for community service, and has served on the Board of Directors for several public, private and non-profit companies.
Audio Video of Green Pockets. Green Hearts
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