Brown-Forman Corp., the drinks and consumer goods group, has appointed Paul C. Varga as president and chief executive of Brown-Forman Beverages, its largest division. Varga will succeed William M. Street who is to retire on 1 October.
Varga (39) has been with the company since 1986 and has been promoted from his most recent role at the company of global chief marketing officer for the group’s spirits brands which include Jack Daniels and Southern Comfort.
The company has appointed James L. Bareuther (57) as executive vice president and chief operating officer of Brown-Forman Beverages, a newly created position. Don Berg is to succeed Bareuther as president of Brown-Forman Spirits Americas.
Street is also president of Brown-Forman Corp. but the company said it was not appointing a corporate president to succeed him but instead has named Michael B. Crutcher and James S. Welch Jr. as vice chairmen. Owsley Brown II remains as chairman and chief executive of the group.
