Healthy Energy Drink Backed by Clinical Science Welcomes New Regional Sales Managers in Five Key Markets
BOCA RATON, FL / ACCESSWIRE / January 19, 2016 / Celsius Holdings, Inc., (OTCQX: CELH) the creator and marketer of Celsius(R), the only negative calorie healthy energy drink backed by clinical science , today announced that the Company is accelerating its national expansion with the addition of five new Regional Sales Managers in key territories across the U.S. These new hires will be responsible for identifying and acquiring new business opportunities in both existing and prospective accounts, while identifying strategic distribution partners, negotiating partnerships and leading territory managers in select cities across each region. The collective experience and relationships the five regional sales leaders bring, including prior experience with Coca-Cola, Red Bull, Monster Energy Drink, Dr. Pepper, ROCKSTAR Energy and Nestle Waters, is expected to generate a significant number of potential new distributors and retail locations for the Celsius healthy energy drink.
"We are leveraging strong demand for Celsius products across the country, and this expansion of our national sales organization will support that growth," said Gerry David, CEO of Celsius Holdings, Inc. "These proven sales professionals will help us re-focus our sales strategy to enhance coverage across the nation, moving from a 'drill deep' regional format to a wider-reaching, national approach. This strategy will further define specific territories in the U.S. and give each new regional manager the opportunity to think locally and best serve their region as we amplify our distribution efforts nationally and continue to build momentum and grow distribution opportunities and sales for our great tasting, healthy energy drinks."
New hires include:
John Duva, South East Region Sales Manager
A seasoned beverage professional with 30 years of experience working for industry heavyweights such as Coca-Cola, Red Bull, Monster Energy Drink, National Beverage Corporation and RAW Foods International, Duva has a proven track record in sales and DSD/chain distribution. Duva has an extensive background in the development of new products and brands, from creating flavor profiles and refining graphic designs and packaging to developing brand messaging and corporate positioning. His experience has encompassed all aspects of the production process. In addition to his sales knowledge and understanding of the dynamics of local and national logistical challenges, Duva is recognized for his management skills and successes in building and motivating sales teams. He is a welcomed addition to the Celsius team as the South East Region Sales Manager, where he will be responsible for the management and development of sales team members, strategies and accounts in the states of Kentucky, Tennessee, North Carolina, South Carolina, Alabama, Georgia and Florida.
Gordon Hill, Southern Region Sales Manager
Bringing over 30 years of industry experience to Celsius in his new position as the Southern Region Sales Manager, Hill has held senior management positions at both The Coca-Cola Company and the Dr Pepper Company. A results-orientated management professional with broad experience and proven success in Customer Management, Distribution Logistics, Field Marketing, and Sales Operational Management, Hill has worked with Bolthouse Farms and ByB brands in successfully developing concepts that have led to acceleration in the annual growth rates of their respective portfolios. In this position, Hill will be responsible for the management and development of sales team members, strategies and accounts in the states of New Mexico, Texas, Oklahoma, Mississippi, Arkansas and Louisiana.
Dan Wilder, Mid-West Region Sales Manager
Having worked with both globally recognized brands (Coca-Cola, Pepsi-Cola, Dasani Water, ROCKSTAR Energy) as well as boutique start up brands, Wilder has nearly 30 years of sales, marketing and operational success in the beverage industry. For the past 4 years, Wilder has been a part of the Celsius team in Texas, working alongside distributors and key customers to deliver profitable market growth, year-after-year. He has a productive track record in the design and field implementation of successful sales strategies, marketing promotions and training applications, drawing on well-developed analytical and creative problem-solving and negotiation skills. Wilder has extensive experience in getting brands into the hands of consumers, and will expand his reach as the Mid-West Region Sales Manager, developing and maintaining accounts throughout Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, Missouri, Kansas and Nebraska.
Ken Tenace, South West Region Sales Manager
A seasoned beverage expert with over 25 years in the beverage business, working as one of the original employees of Red Bull and more recently as the VP of Sales for Neuro Beverages, Tenace has experience with both national sales and DSD accounts, having partnered with over 60 DSD partners during his tenure at Neuro. With a focus on new marketplace opportunities and bottom line results, Tenace has proven to be a strong team manager who drives superior results. In his position as South West Region Sales Manager, Tenace will direct sales operations in the states of California, Nevada, Arizona, Utah, Colorado and Hawaii.
David Mill, New England Region Sales Manager
Bringing over 17 years of experience to Celsius as the New England Region Sales Manager, Mill has a proven ability to develop and direct strategic sales focused initiatives in the beverage industry, having held positions with Nestle Waters and Sweetleaf Tea, Jones Soda, Izze and High Brew Coffee, among others. With a strong track record of penetrating new market niches, Mill has experience developing relationships, capturing shelf space at retail, and negotiating with buyers from major chains and distributors to maintain and enhance product flow. Mill has specific experience managing sales accounts in key Northeast markets, and will offer his expertise to Celsius by developing and maintaining accounts in New Hampshire, Connecticut, Vermont, Maine, Massachusetts and Rhode Island.
As Celsius continues to grow at a rapid rate while consumers seek out healthier energy options, this focused sales strategy will allow for increased exposure and availability in top market territories, serving as the foundation for the continued national expansion of the Celsius brand.
Celsius contains no sugar, no high-fructose corn syrup, no aspartame, no preservatives, no artificial flavors or colors, no gluten, and is vegan and low in sodium. Celsius is available nationwide at retailers across all channels, including supermarkets, convenience stores, nutritional stores, mass merchants, health clubs, spas, gyms, specialty stores, the military and eCommerce websites.
About Celsius Holdings, Inc.
Celsius Holdings Inc. (OTCQX: CELH) is a global science-based functional beverage company, founded in April 2004. Celsius(R) provides negative calorie healthy energy in the form of ready to drink and powder formulas powered by MetaPlus(TM), a proprietary blend of quality ingredients including Green Tea with EGCG, Ginger, Taurine, Gaurana, and B and C vitamins. Backed by multiple published university studies, drinking Celsius before exercise has been proven to help burn more body fat, burn 100 calories and more per serving and provide healthy clean energy.
Celsius comes in seven delicious flavors, carbonated and non-carbonated, and also in powder stick formulas that can be mixed with water. Celsius has no preservatives, no aspartame, no high fructose corn syrup, no artificial flavors or colors and is very low in sodium. The Celsius line of products is vegan certified, Gluten Free, and sugar free. The first university study was conducted in 2005, and additional studies from the University of Oklahoma were conducted over the next five years. All studies were published in peer reviewed journals and validated the unique benefits Celsius provides to the consumer.
For more information, please visit www.celsius.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release may contain statements that are not historical facts and are considered forward-looking within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements contain projections of Celsius Holdings' future results of operations and/or financial position, or state other forward-looking information. In some cases you can identify these statements by forward-looking words such as "anticipate," "believe," "could," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "may," "should," "will," "would," or similar words. You should not rely on forward-looking statements since Celsius Holdings' actual results may differ materially from those indicated by forward-looking statements as a result of a number of important factors. These factors include, but are not limited to: general economic and business conditions; our business strategy for expanding our presence in our industry; anticipated trends in our financial condition and results of operation; the impact of competition and technology change; existing and future regulations affecting our business; and other risks and uncertainties discussed in the reports Celsius Holdings has filed previously with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Celsius Holdings does not intend to and undertakes no duty to update the information contained in this press release.
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SOURCE: Celsius Holdings Inc.