Keurig Dr Pepper makes key appointments

Keurig Dr Pepper Canada has named Knolly Smith vice president of sales and Jean Gagnon vice president of cold beverages.

As VP of sales, Smith, who has been with the company since 2021, will lead the entire Canadian at-home sales team.

Gagnon will manage relationships with Canadian bottlers and oversee all ready-to-drink distribution partnerships.

He will also continue to lead the marketing, omni-channel, revenue growth management (RGM) and partner functions for KDP Canada’s cold beverage portfolio. 

Gagnon joined the company in 2019.

In addition to these appointments, Marc-André Vézina, currently general manager of Van Houtte Coffee Services (VHCS), has been promoted to senior director of sales for the eastern region. 

In this new role, Vézina will oversee KDP’s sales activities within the region, focusing on the club, convenience and gas sectors. 

Vézina, who has been with KDP Canada for over a decade, has held various roles including director of VHCS operations, regional director for the western region and senior manager of integrated customer solutions. 

“Our commitment to nurturing and advancing our internal talent is at the heart of our success. By recognizing and promoting from within, we empower our team members to reach their full potential, driving innovation and excellence throughout the organization,” said Olivier Lemire, president, KDP Canada, in a release. “As we continue to grow and enhance our portfolio, I am confident that our top beverage talent is perfectly positioned for ongoing success and leadership.”