Hill Succeeds Chartrand at Acosta

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Robert Hill Jr. will assume the role of president and chief executive officer of Acosta Sales and Marketing Co. on Jan. 1, while former CEO Gary Chartrand has been named executive chairman, the national brokerage firm said last week.

Hill

Hill, who was also named to the company's board, will report to Chartrand, who will remain board chairman. “Robert's tremendous leadership, dedication and deep passion for Acosta make this decision the right one for the company,” said Chartrand in a statement.

Hill joined Acosta in 1994 when the company acquired Siler Brokerage Co., and was named president of Acosta Services in 2002. He began managing Acosta's day-to-day operations in March 2007, when he assumed the role of president and chief operating officer.

Hill will become responsible for overseeing operations; developing, communicating and executing strategic plans; and communicating progress to stakeholders.

GMA NAMES KENT, ANSELL TO BOARD

WASHINGTON — Grocery Manufacturers Association has elected to its board Muhtar Kent, president and chief executive officer of the Coca-Cola Co., and Jeffrey P. Ansell, CEO of Pinnacle Foods Group, GMA announced last week. “Given the current economic climate, effective board leadership is more important now than ever,” said C. Manly Molpus, GMA's interim president and CEO, in a statement. During his 30-year tenure with the Coca-Cola Co., Kent has served in a number of marketing and operations roles. He was appointed president and chief operating officer in 2006 and succeeded Neville Isdell as CEO in July. Ansell is a 25-year veteran of Procter & Gamble, where he most recently headed its global pet health and nutrition business. He was named CEO of Pinnacle Foods in 2006.