Our leadership team has decades of experience in the food and beverage industry and is committed to promoting the interests of our shareholders and fulfilling the best interests of the company and its stakeholders.
Robbert Rietbroek
Chief Executive Officer
Chief Executive Officer
Robbert Rietbroek is Chief Executive Officer and Board Director of Primo Water Corporation. Mr. Rietbroek is a seasoned executive with more than 25 years of experience at Fortune 200 companies, including five years as Senior Vice President and General Manager responsible for Quaker Foods North America (QFNA), a reported sector of PepsiCo. Prior to his role at Quaker, Mr. Rietbroek was a Senior Vice President and General Manager PepsiCo Australia and New Zealand. Before his tenure at PepsiCo, Mr. Rietbroek served as Vice President and General Manager Australia, New Zealand, Pacific Islands and Vice President and Global Sector Leader Baby and Child Care at the Kimberly-Clark Corporation. Mr. Rietbroek also spent 15 years at Procter & Gamble in a variety of management and marketing roles in North America, Latin America, Europe, Middle East, and Africa. Mr. Rietbroek has worked across multiple consumer goods categories and has been recognized for exceptional brand building and innovation, achieving several awards and recognitions. Mr Rietbroek also has board experience at World Business Chicago, the Australian Food and Grocery Council, and the American Chamber of Commerce Australia. He holds a Master’s in Science in Economics and Business Administration from Maastricht University in the Netherlands.
David Hass
Chief Financial Officer
Chief Financial Officer
David Hass was appointed Chief Financial Officer in January 2023. Since 2020, Mr. Hass was Chief Strategy Officer for the Company. From 2011 to 2020, Mr. Hass served in various roles with legacy Primo, including Chief Strategy Officer, Vice President of Strategy, Vice President of Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A), as well as GM of the Canadian Business Unit and the Water Direct Business Unit. From 2007 to 2011, Mr. Hass served as Vice President of Consumer Investment Banking at Stifel (formerly Thomas Weisel Partners). Prior to that, Mr. Hass served as an Associate in the Client Financial Management practice at Accenture.
Marni Morgan Poe
Chief Legal Officer and Secretary
Chief Legal Officer and Secretary
Marni Morgan Poe has served as the Company’s Chief Legal Officer and Secretary since 2010. Prior to her appointment, Ms. Poe served as the Company’s Corporate Counsel from 2008 to 2010. Prior to joining the Company, Ms. Poe was a partner at the law firm of Holland & Knight LLP from 2000 to 2006 and an associate of the law firm from 1995 to 2000.
Jason Ausher
Chief Accounting Officer
Chief Accounting Officer
Jason Ausher was appointed Chief Accounting Officer in May 2015. Prior to his appointment, from 2011 to 2015, Mr. Ausher served as the Company’s VP Treasurer, Corporate Development. From 2010 to 2011, Mr. Ausher served as the Company’s Corporate Controller and from 2008 to 2010 he held the position of Controller for the Company’s U.S. Business Unit. From 2003 to 2008, Mr. Ausher held numerous positions with Walter Industries, Inc. and Mueller Water Products Inc. (a water infrastructure business and spin-off of Walter Industries, Inc.), including the position of Vice President of Finance. Prior to this, from 1996 to 2002, Mr. Ausher was with PriceWaterhouseCoopers LLP.
Mercedes Romero
Chief Procurement Officer
Chief Procurement Officer
Mercedes Romero was appointed Chief Procurement Officer in August 2020. Prior to joining Primo, Ms. Romero served as Vice President Sourcing and Supply Management from 2019 to 2020 for Ryder System Inc., overseeing global spend and supply planning teams. From 2017 to 2019, Ms. Romero served as Chief Procurement Officer/VP Procurement Americas with the Campari Group. From 1995 to 2017, Ms. Romero held various senior roles leading procurement and supply chain transformations for TEVA Pharma, Diageo, Starbucks, Clorox and Procter & Gamble. Ms. Romero currently serves as independent director for Marinemax (NYSE: HZO), JB. Sanfilippo (NASDAQ: JBSS) and as advisory board member for the Lowth Center of Entrepreneurship at the University of Tampa.
William “Jamie” Jamieson
Global Chief Information Officer
Global Chief Information Officer
William “Jamie” Jamieson was appointed Global Chief Information Officer in April 2019. Prior to joining Primo, Mr. Jamieson served as senior vice president and chief information officer for GNC from 2015 to 2019, overseeing enterprise technology teams and platforms. From 2000 to 2015, he held various senior roles leading IT service delivery for Charming Charlie and Chico’s FAS, Inc., both fashion retailers.
Anne Melaragni
Chief Human Resources Officer
Chief Human Resources Officer
Anne Melaragni was appointed Chief Human Resources Officer in May 2021. Ms. Melaragni joined Primo in September 2020 as Senior Vice President – Human Resources, North America. Prior to Primo, she served as Chief People Officer for CARE, a global non-profit based in Atlanta, where she oversaw HR strategy and execution, the associate experience and global total rewards. Previously, Ms. Melaragni was responsible for driving HR strategy and organizational transformation as the Head of Human Resources at Norfolk Southern. Over the previous 16 years, from 2003 to 2019, Ms. Melaragni held various positions with United Parcel Service (UPS), including Global Head of Total Rewards, Vice President – HR, Organizational Transformation and Vice President – HR, International & Emerging Markets. Prior to UPS, Ms. Melaragni led the HR team at Sitestuff.com, a real estate procurement start-up in Austin, TX.
Robbert Rietbroek
Board of Directors – Director
Board of Directors – Director
Director Since: January 2024
Age: 50
Skill Set: Executive Experience, M&A and Corporate Strategy Experience, Industry Experience, Sales and Marketing Experience, Risk Management Experience, Operational Experience, Human Capital Experience, Digital / E-Commerce Experience
Qualifications: The Board nominated Mr. Rietbroek to be a director because he is our Chief Executive Officer and has extensive business, managerial and leadership experience, as well as extensive product innovation, operational and transformational experience at Fortune 500 companies.
Experience:
- Chief Executive Officer of Primo Water (January 2024 – Present).
- Senior Vice President and General Manager of Quaker Foods North America (2018 – 2023).
- Senior Vice President and General Manager of PepsiCo Australia and New Zealand (2015 – 2018).
- Vice President and General Manager Australia, New Zealand, Pacific Islands and Vice President and Global Sector Leader Baby and Child Care at Kimberly-Clark (2012 – 2015).
- Variety of management and marketing roles in North America, Latin America, Europe, Middle East, and Africa at Procter & Gamble (1996 – 2012).
Primo Water Committees: None.
Other Current Public Company Directorships: None.
Former Public Company Directorships: None.
Jerry Fowden
Board of Directors – Independent Director
Board of Directors – Independent Director
Director Since: 2009
Age: 67
Skill Set: Executive Experience, M&A and Corporate Strategy Experience, Industry Experience, Sales and Marketing Experience, Risk Management Experience, Operational Experience, Human Capital Experience, Other Public Company Board Experience
Qualifications: The Board nominated Mr. Fowden to be a director because he has extensive international business and industry experience, as well as extensive M&A and business integration experience.
Experience:
- Chairman of Primo Water (2020 – present).
- Executive Chairman of Primo Water (formerly known as Cott Corporation (“Cott”) until the acquisition of Legacy Primo in March 2020 (2018 – 2020).
- Chief Executive Officer of Cott (2009 – 2018).
- President of Cott’s international operating segment (2007 – 2008), Interim President of North American business (2008 – 2009) and Interim President of UK and European business (2007 – 2009).
- Chief Executive Officer of Trader Media Group (now known as Autotrader plc) (2005 – 2007).
- Member of the board of directors of Guardian Media Group plc (2005 – 2007).
- Chief Operating Officer of ABInBev S.A. Belgium (2003 – 2004).
- Chief Executive Officer of Bass Brewers Ltd., a subsidiary of AB InBev S.A. Belgium (2001 – 2002).
- Managing Director of the Rank Group plc’s Hospitality and Holiday Division and member of the Rank Group plc’s board of directors (1997 – 2001).
- Chief Executive Officer of Hero AG’s European beverage operations, and various roles within PepsiCo Inc.’s beverage operations and Mars, Incorporated’s pet food operations (1996 – 1997).
- Member of the board of directors of the American Beverage Association and the British Soft Drinks Association (2007).
Primo Water Committees: None.
Other Current Public Company Directorships: None.
Former Public Company Directorships: Constellations Brands, Inc. (US NYSE: STZ) (2010 – 2023) and British American Tobacco p.l.c. (US NYSE: BTI) (2019 – 2021)
Britta Bomhard
Board of Directors – Lead Independent Director
Board of Directors – Lead Independent Director
Director Since: 2018
Age: 55
Skill Set: Executive Experience, Finance and Accounting Experience, M&A and Corporate Strategy Experience, Sales and Marketing Experience, Risk Management Experience, Operational Experience, Digital / E-Commerce Experience
Qualifications: The Board nominated Ms. Bomhard to be a director because of her background in international business with extensive experience in strategic planning, sales, e-commerce, digital and online marketing, operational improvement, and acquisition integration.
Experience:
- Board member of Agrolimen SA, a privately-owned Spanish-based international manufacturer of human and pet food (2024 – present).
- Co-founder of Encourage-Ventures, a startup investment network (2021 – present).
- Advisor to Village Capital, an accelerator to impact start-ups addressing social, economic, and environmental challenges around the world (2023 – present).
- Fellow at the Distinguished Careers Institute at Stanford University in the area of new technologies and climate change (2022 – 2023).
- Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer of Church & Dwight Co., Inc., an S&P 500 company and maker of Arm & Hammer baking soda and other branded household, personal care and specialty products (2016-2021).
- President of Europe at Church & Dwight (2013 –2016).
- General Manager role for Energizer Holdings, Inc. in Spain & Portugal and Nordics & Austria (2013 –2015).
Primo Water Committees: Audit Committee, ESG and Nominating Committee (Chair)
Other Current Public Company Directorships: None
Former Public Company Directorships: None
Susan E. Cates
Board of Directors – Independent Director
Board of Directors – Independent Director
Director Since: 2020
Age: 53
Skill Set: Executive Experience, Finance and Accounting Experience, M&A and Corporate Strategy Experience, Industry Experience, Risk Management Experience, Operational Experience, Human Capital Experience, Other Public Company Board Experience, Digital / E-Commerce Experience
Qualifications: The Board nominated Ms. Cates to be a director because she has extensive executive, financial, M&A and digital innovation experience, and has extensive knowledge of the legacy Primo Water business. (such business, which was bought by the Company in 2020, “Legacy Primo”).
Experience:
- Co-founder and current Managing Partner of Leeds Illuminate, a growth equity fund investing in portfolio companies with digital platforms in the Education and Workforce Development sectors (2020 – Present).
- Chief Executive Officer of the Association of College and University Educators (2019 – 2021).
- Chief Operating Officer of 2U, Inc., a leading education tech company that provides digital education services to universities around the world (2016 – 2017).
- Member of the Board of Advisors at Kenan-Flagler Business School at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (2016 – Present), where she was Co-Chair of the Nominations and Governance Committee (2016 – 2020).
- President of Executive Development at UNC’s Kenan-Flagler Business School (2008 – 2016).
- Founding Executive Director of MBA@UNC (2010 –2016).
- Partner with Best Associates, a Dallas-based private equity firm (2004 – 2008).
- Principal and founding team member of ThinkEquity Partners, a boutique investment bank in New York, with former colleagues from Merrill Lynch & Co. (2001 – 2004).
Primo Water Committees: Audit Committee (Chair)
Other Current Public Company Directorships: None
Former Public Company Directorships: Legacy Primo (2014 – 2020)
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Eric J. Foss
Board of Directors – Independent Director
Board of Directors – Independent Director
Director Since: 2023
Age: 65
Skill Set: Executive Experience, Finance and Accounting Experience, M&A and Corporate Strategy Experience, Industry Experience, Risk Management Experience, Operational Experience, Human Capital Experience, Other Public Company Board Experience, Digital / E-Commerce Experience
Qualifications: The Board nominated Mr. Foss to be a director because of his extensive route-based industry experience as an executive at global companies in the food, beverage and service industries, along with his experience serving as a public company director.
Experience:
- Chairman of the Board of Cineworld Group PLC, a leading cinema company (2023 – Present).
- President and Chief Executive Officer of Aramark Corporation, a food service company (2012 – 2019) and Chairman of the Board (2015 – 2019).
- Chief Executive Officer of Pepsi Beverages Company (2010 – 2011).
- Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Pepsi Bottling Group (2008 – 2010), President and Chief Executive Officer (2006 – 2008), and Chief Operating Officer (2005 – 2006).
Primo Water Committees: Audit Committee, ESG and Nominating Committee
Other Current Public Company Directorships: The Cigna Group (US NYSE: CI), a healthcare and insurance company (2011 – Present)
Former Public Company Directorships: Selina Hospitality plc (US NASDAQ: SLNA) (2022 – 2023), Diversey Holdings, Ltd. (US NASDAQ: DSEY) (2021 – 2023), Aramark (US NYSE: ARMK) (2013 – 2019), Pepsi Bottling Group, Inc. (2008 – 2010) and UDR, Inc. (2003 – 2015) (US NYSE: UDR)
Derek R. Lewis
Board of Directors – Independent Director
Board of Directors – Independent Director
Director Since: 2023
Age: 57
Skill Set: Executive Experience, M&A and Corporate Strategy Experience, Industry Experience, Risk Management Experience, Operational Experience, Human Capital Experience
Qualifications:The Board nominated Mr. Lewis to be a director because of his extensive experience in management, sales, marketing and operations in the beverage products industry and his demonstrated ability to serve as a strategic leader.
Experience:
- President, Multicultural Business and Equity Development of PepsiCo North America, the North America focused subsidiary of PepsiCo, Inc., a global food and beverage company (January 2022 – December 2022).
- President of Pepsi Beverages North America, South Division, a beverage products subsidiary of PepsiCo, Inc. (2019 – 2022).
- Senior Vice President and General Manager, Field Sales Operations of PepsiCo North America (2012 – 2018).
- Senior Vice President and General Manager of Pepsi Beverages North America, South Division (2008 –2012).
Primo Water Committees: ESG and Nominating Committee
Other Current Public Company Directorships: None.
Former Public Company Directorships: None.
Lori T. Marcus
Board of Directors – Independent Director
Board of Directors – Independent Director
Director Since: 2023
Age: 61
Skill Set: Executive Experience, M&A and Corporate Strategy Experience, Industry Experience, Sales and Marketing Experience, Risk Management Experience, Other Public Company Board Experience, Digital / E-Commerce Experience
Qualifications:The Board nominated Ms. Marcus to be a director because she brings to the Board strategic vision, strong business and general management acumen with direct-to-consumer expertise in e-commerce, and digital marketing and social media expertise to grow consumer-facing businesses worldwide.
Experience:
- Founder of Courtyard Connections, LLC, an advisory firm focused on marketing and leadership in consumer goods, retail, food service and consumer technology (2015 – present).
- Manager, Director Prep Practice program, of Crenshaw Associates, LLC, an advisory firm serving senior executives and leading corporations (2022 – present).
- Executive Advisor of Crenshaw Associates, LLC (2019 – present).
- Interim Chief Marketing Officer of Peloton Interactive, Inc., a global fitness platform (2016).
- Executive Vice President and Chief Global Brand and Product Officer of Keurig Green Mountain, Inc., a coffee and coffee products company (2013 – 2015).
- Chief Marketing Officer of the Children’s Place, Inc., a children’s clothing company (2011 – 2012).
- Director for the 24-Hour Fitness, Inc., a privately-held fitness company (2021 – present).
- Chair of the Direct to Patient Initiative of the Harvard Business School’s Kraft Precision Medicine Accelerator (2017 – 2020).
Primo Water Committees: Human Resources and Compensation Committee
Other Current Public Company Directorships: Fresh Del Monte Produce, Inc. (US NYSE: FDP), a global food and produce company (2021 – present)
Former Public Company Directorships: Phunware, Inc. (US NASDAQ: PHUN) (2018 – 2021)
Billy D. Prim
Board of Directors – Independent Director
Board of Directors – Independent Director
Director Since: 2020
Age: 68
Skill Set: Executive Experience, M&A and Corporate Strategy Experience, Industry Experience, Sales and Marketing Experience, Risk Management Experience, Operational Experience, Human Capital Experience, Other Public Company Board Experience
Qualifications: The Board nominated Mr. Prim to be a director because he has extensive business, managerial and leadership experience, as well as extensive knowledge of Legacy Primo’s business and substantial corporate and shareholder governance expertise.
Experience:
- Founder of Legacy Primo (2004).
- Executive Chairman of Legacy Primo (2017 – 2020).
- Founder of Blue Rhino Corporation (1994).
- Led Blue Rhino’s initial public offering in 1998 and remained its Chief Executive Officer until April 2004, when Blue Rhino was acquired by Ferrellgas Partners, L.P.
- Previously served on the board of directors of Southern Community Bank and Trust (1996 – 2005), Southern Community Financial Corporation, and Towne Park Ltd. (2008 – 2013).
- Member of the Wake Forest School of Business Board of Visitors and the Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine Advisory Board (2007 – present).
Primo Water Committees: None
Other Current Public Company Directorships: None
Former Public Company Directorships: Legacy Primo (2004 – 2020), Ferrellgas Partners, L.P. (2004 – 2008), and Blue Rhino Corporation (1994 – 2004)
Archana Singh
Board of Directors – Independent Director
Board of Directors – Independent Director
Director Since: 2021
Age: 54
Skill Set: Executive Experience, M&A and Corporate Strategy Experience, Risk Management Experience, Human Capital Experience, Digital / E-Commerce Experience
Qualifications: The Board nominated Ms. Singh to be a director because of her background in international business with extensive experience in human capital management, including at several technology companies.
Experience:
- Chief People Officer of Thrasio, a next generation consumer product company (October 2022 – present).
- Chief People Officer for Expedia Group, Inc., an online travel shopping company for consumer and small business travel (2019 – 2022).
- Chief Human Resource Officer at John Wiley & Sons, Inc., a global publishing company (2016 –2019).
- Chief Human Resource Officer, Managing Director, at the consultancy Hay Group, Inc. (2014 – 2016).
- Held executive-level HR positions at technology companies including AMD Corporation, Unisys Corporation, and Sun Microsystems, as well as executive-level HR positions at Computer Science Corporation and Credit Suisse First Boston.
Primo Water Committees: Human Resources and Compensation Committee (Chair)
Other Current Public Company Directorships: None
Former Public Company Directorships: None
Steven P. Stanbrook
Board of Directors – Independent Director
Board of Directors – Independent Director
Director Since: 2018
Age: 66
Skill Set: Executive Experience, M&A and Corporate Strategy Experience, Sales and Marketing Experience, Risk Management Experience, Operational Experience, Human Capital Experience, Other Public Company Board Experience
Qualifications:The Board nominated Mr. Stanbrook to be a director because he has extensive executive experience gained through his various roles with international consumer packaged goods businesses and extensive governance experience gained from serving on the boards of multinational companies.
Experience:
- Executive Advisory Partner at Wind Point Partners, a Chicago-based private equity firm (2016 – present).
- Director at Voyant Beauty LLC, a contract manufacturer of personal and beauty care products (2017 – present).
- Held various roles at S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc., a global manufacturer of consumer products (1996 – 2015), including Chief Operating Officer, International Markets (2010 – 2015).
- Chief Executive Officer of Sara Lee Bakery (1992 – 1995).
Primo Water Committees: Human Resources Compensation Committee, ESG and Nominating Committee
Other Current Public Company Directorships: Group 1 Automotive, Inc. (US NYSE: GPI), an automotive retailer (2019 – present)
Former Public Company Directorships: Imperial Brands PLC (US OTC: IMBBY) (2016 – 2022), Hewitt Associates, Inc. (2004 – 2010), and Chiquita Brands International, Inc. (US NYSE: CQB) (2002 -2014)