Vélez-Bautista was most recently chief executive officer of Mission Foods, the leading producer of fresh and authentic tortillas and other Mexican food products.

Molson Coors Beverage Company unveiled a new slate of non-alcoholic products that it intends to roll this fall as part of the company’s efforts to expand beyond the beer aisle and reach more consumers seeking better-for-you beverages.

Mars, Incorporated announced the hiring of Dr. Maria Velissariou as the new global corporate research & development (R&D) vice president and chief science officer. Dr. Velissariou joins Mars on Sept. 13 and will lead Mars' enterprise-wide approach to quality and food safety, scientific & regulatory affairs and deliver Mars' R&D strategy in partnership with its business segments.

Recent ADM OutsideVoice℠ research shows that 77% of consumers intend to make more attempts to stay healthy in the future. Food and beverage manufacturers who successfully balance consumer health concerns with affordability are most likely to win with consumers. 

The National Honey Board’s annual Queen’s Choice Awards results are in, and brands small and large took home honors as the best food and beverage products made with honey in the last year. Winning brands included Pepperidge Farm, Simple Mills, Godiva, Teakoe, Green Bee and more.

Jones Soda Co. appointed 38-year CPG and foodservice industry veteran Mark Murray as president, effective Sept. 1, 2020.

The company’s nine operating units will replace current groups and business units, effective Jan. 1, 2021, subject to consultation where required under local laws. These changes will help eliminate duplication of resources and enhance the company’s ability to scale new products more quickly.

Idaho Milk Products welcomes Florian Middelhuis to the position of vice president of sales and marketing on July 1, 2020. Middelhuis’s expertise in the dairy industry, his knowledge of international markets and his aptitude in customer relations will take their sales & marketing team to a higher level of customer service, providing customers with the knowledge and ingredients they require to develop high-quality products. 

The transaction is being led by Tim Alexander, Andy Warczak and Ryan Ghazaeri of the Harris Williams Consumer Group.

KIND Healthy Snacks (KIND) announced its commitment to become the first snack company to exclusively source its almonds from bee-friendly farmland across the globe by 2025.