Coke, Pinnacle Heads Named to GMA Board

Jeff Ansell, Pinnacle Foods

The Grocery Manufacturers Association said yesterday that Muhtar Kent, president and c.e.o. of The Coca-Cola Co., and Jeffrey P. Ansell, c.e.o. of Pinnacle Foods Group, LLC, were elected to its board of directors at its annual meeting. Additionally, six companies became members of the trade group, among them Kroger.

"Given the current economic climate, effective board leadership is more important now than ever," noted GMA interim president and c.e.o. C. Manly Molpus. "Muhtar and Jeff will bring extremely valuable expertise and insight to the boardroom as we seek to advance our public policy, scientific, and industry affairs objectives on behalf of the industry."

Muhtar Kent, Coca-Cola

Kent joined Coca-Cola in Atlanta in 1978 and held various marketing and operations positions around the world. He became president and c.o.o. in late 2006 before replacing Neville Isdell as c.e.o. in July 2008. Ansell spent 25 years at Procter & Gamble, rising to lead its global pet health and nutrition business, before becoming c.e.o. of Pinnacle Foods in July 2006.

In addition to Cincinnati-based Kroger, the GMA board approved the membership applications of Kerry Ingredients & Flavours; Ruiz Foods; 3M Medical Division; Bridge Strategy Group, LLC; and TraceGains, Inc.