R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company strengthens leadership team

R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company has appointed Debra A. Crew president and chief commercial officer, effective Oct. 1. Crew is currently the president and general manager of PepsiCo North America Nutrition.



She joined PepsiCo in 2010 as president of the Western Europe region of PepsiCo Europe. In 2012, she was named president of PepsiCo Americas Beverage. She assumed her current role earlier in 2014. Prior to joining PepsiCo, Crew was general manager of grocery brands and U.S. pet-care products for Mars. Before joining Mars, she held a number of marketing positions at both Nestle S.A. and Kraft Foods. Crew served in the U.S. Army from 1993 to 1997, rising to the rank of captain and military intelligence officer. Crew serves on the board of directors of Stanley Black & Decker.



Andrew D. Gilchrist, the current president and chief commercial officer of R.J. Reynolds, has been promoted to EVP of Reynolds American, effective Oct. 1. Gilchrist will help Crew transition into her new role. His ongoing role as a member of RAI’s leadership team following this transition period will be announced at a later date.



“We are delighted to welcome Debra to our leadership team,” said Susan M. Cameron, president and CEO of RAI. “Her experience in growing some of America’s best-known consumer brands is extraordinary and we believe she can play a key role in our mission to lead the transformation of the tobacco industry. I expect Debra’s transition to our industry will be smooth and swift. Having Andrew’s 17 years of experience in the tobacco industry to draw upon during her initial months here will be a great asset to her. Andrew’s leadership and contributions during his four years in the role of president and chief commercial officer of R.J. Reynolds were outstanding. I am sure he will bring Debra up to speed quickly, before moving on to his new leadership role at RAI.”