SweetWater Makes Executive Changes

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SweetWater Brewing is shuffling the deck. The company today announced a number of changes to its executive roster.

Kim Jones, who had been serving as the company’s CFO, has been appointed CEO, the company said in a statement. In her place, the company has hired industry veteran and former MolsonCoors executive Bill Waters, who will serve as the fast-growing craft brewery’s new CFO.

“The title is now official, but Kim has long been my right-hand in running SweetWater’s business,“ company founder Freddy Bensch said in the release. “Now that Bill is on board, we have one of the most experienced senior leadership teams in the industry.”

Bensch will continue to serve as chairman, the company said.

Prior to being appointed CEO, Jones had served as the company’s CFO since 2013, playing an integral role in expanding the brewery’s portfolio and making new hires. She also saw the company through its minority sale to private equity firm TSG Consumer Partners in 2014.

“Freddy has been a driving force in establishing the culture, values and commitment to quality that both define and distinguish us,” said Jones in the statement. “As CEO, I intend to complement his vision by ensuring solid business operations and building a strong infrastructure for growth.”

Waters, for his part, has held myriad jobs in the industry, recently serving as chief strategy officer for Molson Coors. According to SweetWater, he has also held a number of senior finance and strategy positions, namely as CFO of Coors, and CFO of Coors International and Global Controller.

“SweetWater has significant runway in new and existing markets,” added Waters. “I believe the company is well-positioned for growth and am thrilled to be a part of this excellent team that will help navigate the company’s trajectory.”

In 2014, SweetWater sold 192,400 barrels of beer, up 34 percent over the year prior, according to the Brewers Association.