Dr Pepper Snapple Group promotes two execs

PLANO, Texas - Two members of the Dr Pepper Snapple Group executive leadership team have been promoted to the level of executive vice president, the company announced.

Effective Jan. 1, 2011, David Thomas, Ph.D., is EVP research and development, and Tina Barry becomes EVP corporate affairs. Both continue to report directly to Larry Young, DPS president and CEO.

"David and Tina have both transformed their functions in our first two-and-a-half years as a stand-alone public company by effectively inspiring, developing and deploying their people to deliver great value to our business," said Mr. Young.

Dr. Thomas, who had been SVP of research and development since joining the company in 2006, has overall responsibility for all aspects of R&D, including product development, sensory science, flavor & ingredient technology, chemistry, nutrition & regulatory, process development, technical services, knowledge management and the pilot plant.

Ms. Barry joined DPS in 2008 as vice president of corporate communications and was promoted later that year to the role of SVP of corporate affairs. She oversees internal and external communications, corporate and brand public relations, philanthropy, government affairs and sustainability.