Anheuser-Busch President Resigns

David PeacockDavid Peacock, who has served as the president of Budweiser and Bud Light maker Anheuser-Busch since 2008, has resigned.

The news was broken to AB/InBev employees and distributors via an email sent by Peacock’s replacement, AB/InBev North America Zone President Luiz Edmond. The email also stated that Peacock would continue serving the company in an advisory role, to what extent is presently unknown.

In the email, Edmond wrote:

“In his leadership roles over the past three years, Dave has been instrumental in helping us transform our business. His strategic insights, his expertise in the U.S. market and his role representing our company with many constituents helped us successfully complete one of the largest combinations in American business, emerging as a new, stronger company while preserving Anheuser-Busch’s enduring legacy and earning the highest U.S. corporate reputation scores in the company’s history.”

The email is printed below:

Today we are announcing that Dave Peacock has resigned from the company, leaving his position effective today and serving in an advisory role. Dave initiated this move in order to spend more time with his family and pursue other business interests.

In his leadership roles over the past three years, Dave has been instrumental in helping us transform our business. His strategic insights, his expertise in the U.S. market and his role representing our company with many constituents helped us successfully complete one of the largest combinations in American business, emerging as a new, stronger company while preserving Anheuser-Busch’s enduring legacy and earning the highest U.S. corporate reputation scores in the company’s history.

Dave’s leadership of the U.S. business unit has helped us weather the recession and its impact on the beer industry, redesigning our marketing and sales structures to better address the changing needs of today’s consumers and shoppers. Accomplishments under his leadership have included gaining the NFL sponsorship back from competition for the Bud Light brand, the development of a diverse and growing high-end portfolio and successfully introducing Budweiser to new generations that are turning around the brand’s performance.

Dave has been a great colleague, embracing and leading many changes that we agreed would be difficult, but that would ultimately benefit the U.S. business in the long-term. He has helped Brito, me and the global and zone management teams in transitioning the company in many ways over the past three years. He represented early on the culture that encourages sharing views, challenging prevailing wisdom and pursuing creative solutions to problems.

Beginning today, I will assume leadership of the U.S. business unit, in addition to my zone responsibilities. Paul Chibe and David Almeida will report directly to me, joining the zone management committee. Don Johnson will continue to lead wholesaler development and report to David Almeida, increasing synergies in working with our wholesalers.

Dave’s experience and knowledge will continue to be valued in his new advisory role, helping with strategic decisions. Dave has built a strong, talented team of people who are well-equipped to carry the business forward, poised for great things. Through the exceptional work of Dave and many others, we are in an excellent position with our commercial business, heading in exciting new directions with the best brands in the market.

We thank Dave for his many contributions over the years and wish him all the best in his future roles.

Luiz Edmond