Company veteran Petrovich named Wrigley president

Chain Drug Review, Oct 27, 2008

CHICAGO -- Dushan Petrovich is the new president of Win. Wrigley Jr. Co.

A veteran of the company for more than 30 years, Petrovich, who assumed his new role earlier this month, is responsible for its worldwide strategy, operations and business performance. He will continue to work closely with chairman Bill Wrigley Jr. Both report to Paul Michaels, president and chief executive officer of Mars Inc., which acquired Wrigley earlier this month. Mars is a $27 billion family-owned company recognized for its confectionery and food products as well as its expanding beverage and health and nutrition businesses.

A native of Chicago (where Wrigley has its headquarters) Petrovich launched his professional career in the company's finance department and later served in such positions of increasing responsibility as vice president/corporate controller and vice president/corporate treasurer. In his most recent role as senior vice president and chief administrative officer, he has been responsible for many of the company's vital functions, including global supply chain, global procurement, information technology, the human resources organization, corporate communications and global real estate.

He also has had responsibilities for commercial operations in Latin America.

"Petrovich has played an important role in the transformation and ongoing growth of Wrigley throughout the years," says Bill Wrigley Jr.

"He has served on our executive leadership team for more than 10 years and has proven himself to be a strong and visionary leader."

Michaels maintains that the combination of Petrovich's "deep-seated understanding of Wrigley's operations, respect among the company's associates and financial expertise makes him the ideal person to connect Wrigley into the Mars organization and build growth for the business."

Petrovich is president of the Wrigley Foundation and is a member of the board of trustees at Knox College in Galesburg, Ill. He is also a member of the city of Chicago's Sister Cities Belgrade Committee.

William Perez, who previously served as president and CEO, says he will support the company in an advisory capacity through the end of this year. Perez has been credited with helping the company grow and build brands as well as helping the company to improve its discipline and focus.

"It has been a pleasure to work with Bill Wrigley Jr. and the great team at Wrigley to help drive growth and success for our brands," Perez says. "I wish the combined organization nothing but success."

The company is a recognized leader in the confections category with an extensive range of product offerings, including gum, mints and chocolate.

Wrigley maintains operations in more than 40 countries and distributes its brands in over 180 countries.

Some of those brands include Wrigley's Spearmint, Life Savers and Skittles.