• July 15, 2010

Diageo North America has announced the creation of two new senior positions designed to help drive the growth of its commercial business.

Kevin O'Neil, currently president, U.S. spirits & TBA national accounts and sales development, has been named to take the new role of president and chief commercial officer, reporting to Diageo USA president Larry Schwartz, effective Aug. 1.

The role will create a comprehensive commercial team that will determine the strategic sales and route-to-market agenda, and "provide best-in-class trade marketing" for the North American division's sales teams, according to the company.

With O'Neil's promotion, responsibility for managing the sales function will be led by Mark Hubler, president, U.S. spirits control states & TBA national accounts, and Pete Carr, currently president DGUSA sales, who has been appointed to the newly created role of president, U.S. spirits open states.

In addition, Diageo has appointed Chris Davies, currently managing director of Diageo Business Services (based in Budapest), to CFO for North America, effective Sept. 1. Current CFO Cathy Jessup, with the company since 2003, is leaving to pursue a senior financial role outside of Diageo.--Karlene Lukovitz