Changing of the guard at Green Mountain Coffee Roasters
Green Mountain Coffee Roasters has appointed Paul D. O’Brien as the company’s president of the Asia Pacific region, a newly created position. O’Brien will report to president and CEO Brian P. Kelley.
The appointment coincides with current president of international business development Gerard Geoffrion’s announcement that he plans to retire at the end of calendar 2014.
O’Brien joins GMCR from Sara Lee Corporation, where he served as managing director of the Kitchens of Sara Lee Pty., based in Australia, since Nov. 2010.
"I'm pleased to welcome Paul to the GMCR team as we look to cultivate the quality, convenience, and variety of the Keurig system beyond North America," said Kelley. "With more than 20 years of experience developing and implementing growth strategies in various international markets, Paul’s expertise and focus on our vision will help the company prosper in this new geography.”
O’Brien has held roles including strategy, sales, marketing, and innovation responsibilities across various Asia Pacific geographies with companies including Accenture, Defiance Hong Kong Pty, and the Kellogg Company where he was director of strategy and business development for the Asia Pacific region. Throughout the last decade, he has led premium-branded companies, including Lowan Australia Limited as managing director and CEO, Illinois Tool Works as group general manager of ITW construction systems, and Kitchens of Sara Lee Pty. as managing director. O’Brien has a bachelor’s of economics from University of Queensland, and a masters of accounting and a master of business administration from Bond University. He is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
“Gérard has contributed significantly to Green Mountain and Van Houtte’s success during his nearly two decades of service,” said Kelley, commenting on Geoffrion’s retirement. “We are glad to have Gérard engaged over the next year to continue our international expansion and transition his responsibilities to leaders of key geographic segments.”
Geoffrion was named president of international business development for GMCR in Oct. 2012. He previously served as president of GMCR's Canadian business unit. He joined the company in Dec. 2010 through the acquisition of Van Houtte and was previously Van Houtte's president and CEO. Geoffrion joined Van Houtte in 1995 and held a number of positions during his tenure including EVP and CFO and VP of corporate development. Geoffrion will step down from his position on March 31, 2014 and continue as executive adviser of strategic initiatives from April 1, 2014 through Dec. 31, 2014.