Heinz CEO is VIP Speaker

Who: William R. Johnson
President, CEO and Chairman of the Board
H. J. Heinz Company

What: VIP Distinguished Speaker Series

When: Thursday, April 17, 2008    5:30 p.m.

Where: UTC 2.112a     Directions

Why attend:  An MBA alumni of McCombs, William R. Johnson is Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of the H. J. Heinz Company, offering high quality and healthy products worldwide. With almost $10 billion in annual sales, Heinz's 50 companies have leading brands in more than 200 countries. The Heinz® brand enjoys international renown and accounts for approximately $3 billion in annual sales. Other powerful U.S. brands include Ore-Ida®, Boston Market Homestyle Meals®, T.G.I. Fridays®, Classico®, and Bagel Bites®. Among Heinz's best-known overseas brands in addition to Heinz are, Plasmon®, ABC®, Orlando®, Wattie's®, Pudliszki®, Complan®, and Glucon D®.

Bio: William R. Johnson is Chairman, President and CEO of the H. J. Heinz Company, one of the world’s leading food companies with almost $10 billion in annual sales. A seasoned Heinz executive of more than 25 years, Bill has led Heinz through a bold strategic plan to transform the company into a highly-focused portfolio of powerful leading brands in three core categories: Ketchup & Sauces, Meals and Snacks, and Infant Nutrition.

 In June 1996, Mr. Johnson became President and COO, and later President and CEO in April 1998. He became only the fifth Chairman in Heinz’s 138-year history in September 2000.

 Mr. Johnson sits on the Board of Directors for the Grocery Manufacturers of America and is also an active advisory council member for the University of Texas McCombs School of Business, where he earned an MBA in 1974.

Who’s invited: Open to the public

More info: Bilal Khan or Sara Flieller

 

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For information on speaking events at McCombs, contact Public Affairs Representative Gayle Hight, 512-475-6423, gayle.hight@mccombs.utexas.edu.