Consumer >> CEO Interviews >> March 11, 2003
PATRICK O'DEA is President and Chief Executive Officer of Peet's
Coffee & Tea, Inc. He oversees the company's business with the
vision of providing the freshest, best-tasting specialty coffee
in the world. Mr. O'Dea's top business priority is to continue
Peet's rapid expansion in the US and internationally, while
building on the brand's 'gold standard' specialty coffee
position. Mr. O'Dea brings to the position more than 18 years of
extensive packaged food and beverage experience. Most recently,
as President and Chief Executive of the Mother's and Archway
Cookie companies, Mr. O'Dea revitalized the companies' business,
significantly growing revenues, profitability and market share by
investing behind integrated, brand-building marketing campaigns.
Prior to Mother's, Mr. O'Dea was General Manager of the specialty
cheese division of Stella Foods, where he developed new
initiatives in highly profitable market segments. From 1984 to
1995, Mr. O'Dea was employed by Procter & Gamble, where he
successfully managed several of the company's key beverage
brands, including Sunny Delight and Crush Soft Drinks, before
being appointed Marketing Director of the company's U.S. Snacks
division where he had responsibility for the Pringles brand. Mr.
O'Dea is a graduate of the University of Albany, New York. Profile
on over the past year or so that investors should focus on?
Mr. O'Dea: We just finished out a great 2002. Our fourth
