Jeffrey P. Berger has been promoted to executive vice president of the H.J. Heinz Company. In this position, Berger will be responsible for the company's global foodservice business.

Commenting on the promotion, William R. Johnson, Heinz's chairman, president and chief executive officer, said, "Jeff Berger is one of the foodservice industry's leading executives. He and his team have dramatically grown our U.S. sales in the away-from-home eating category. Today, Heinz, with $1.5 billion in U.S. foodservice sales alone, is one of the top suppliers to this segment of the U.S. food industry. Jeff's expertise will be extremely valuable in expanding our foodservice business outside of North America."

As executive vice president, Berger will retain his responsibilities as president and CEO of Heinz North America Foodservice. He will be based at the Heinz 57 Center offices in downtown Pittsburgh.

The Heinz North America Foodservice business unit includes not only Heinz-branded products, but also Portion Pac Inc., Escalon Premier Brands, Chef Francisco, Quality Chef, Alden Merrell, Appetizers And, Inc., Todds, Dianne's, Delimex and Truesoups.

A native Pittsburgher, Berger began his Heinz career in 1974 as a buyer in the purchasing department. In 1983, he was named general manager -- marketing in the foodservice business. Six years later, he was promoted to vice president and, in 1994, became president of the foodservice business.

Berger earned bachelor's and master's degrees in education and administration, respectively, from California University of Pennsylvania, in California, Pa. He has also attended Duquesne University Business School and the Harvard Executive Management Program.

He is a veteran of the U.S. Army and serves as a director of Parkhurst Dining Services.