American Beverage appoints new president and CEO

American Beverage (AB) has named Kevin W. Keane, a longtime member of the beverage industry’s leadership team, as its new president and chief executive officer.

Keane will provide day-to-day leadership and management of the industry trade group to advance its strategic priorities, working in close partnership with AB’s full team and the AB Board leadership.

“Having worked in the beverage industry for nearly 20 years, I know how hard our companies strive to be a unifying force in helping address public policy issues that people care about in ways that matter to them,” said Keane. “Their unwavering commitment to better way solutions to tough challenges delivers meaningful results that lift communities and bring people together. We look forward to helping build an even stronger future.”

Keane has served as president and CEO on an interim basis since his predecessor, Katherine Lugar, departed in March for Hilton as executive vice president of corporate affairs.

Keane has served on the leadership team of American Beverage since 2005 and has overseen a wide range of industry initiatives while managing a team in Washington, D.C., and in states across the country. Prior to his appointment as president and CEO, Keane served as executive vice president of the Government and Public Affairs Department for the association.

Before joining American Beverage, Keane served as the assistant secretary for public affairs at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services under Secretary Tommy G. Thompson. President George W. Bush appointed him to the position. Keane was Thompson’s deputy chief of staff and communications director when he was governor of Wisconsin. Keane is a proud Midwesterner, born in Chicago, graduating from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire and spending much of his life growing up and working in Wisconsin. He and his wife Chris have three adult children.

American Beverage is the national trade organization representing companies that manufacture and distribute non-alcoholic beverages in the US. The non-alcoholic beverage industry employs more than 270,000 people with a direct economic impact of nearly $245bn. Members include The Coca-Cola Company, PepsiCo, Keurig Dr Pepper and the bottling companies within their systems as well as Red Bull, Polar Beverages, Niagara, Refresco, Danone and many other local beverage companies. The industry manufactures a variety of beverage choices in a wide range of calories and package sizes, including bottled water, 100% juice, juice drinks, sports drinks, soft drinks, ready-to-drink teas and energy drinks.