The Washington, D.C.-based American Beverage Association (ABA) announced the election of Jeff Honickman, chief executive officer of Pepsi-Cola & National Brand Beverages Ltd., Pennsauken, N.J., as chair of its Board of Directors, as well as other officers and members to the Board.

Honickman, who previously served as vice chair, succeeds Rodger L. Collins, president of Packaged Beverages at Plano, Texas-based Dr Pepper Snapple Group. The Board also elected Kirk Tyler, chairman for Atlantic Coca-Cola Bottling Co., Atlantic, Iowa, as vice chair, the ABA says.

“I am honored to serve the ABA Board along with so many of our industry’s leaders,” Honickman said in a statement. “I look forward to the work we will continue to do together to advance solutions that fulfill our commitment to our consumers, customers and the communities we serve.”

Collins added: “I have been proud to serve as chair of the ABA Board during a time when we have advanced our record of developing meaningful initiatives that impact the places where we live, work and play. It is clear that ABA fills a very critical role in bringing our industry together, and I look forward to Jeff’s continued leadership.”

Susan K. Neely, ABA president and chief executive officer, said: “We look forward to Jeff’s leadership as ABA Board Chair, along with the knowledge and experience that Kirk brings to the Executive Committee of the Board. We also thank Rodger for his leadership and commitment to ABA and our industry during his service as Board Chair. With the strong support and guidance of the ABA Board of Directors, our industry is able to present a unified voice on critical issues and achieve significant and meaningful results when working together.” 

The ABA also announced the election of five members to its Board of Directors. The members elected to a first term are Stuart Kronauge, senior vice president for Brand USA Operation at The Coca-Cola Co.; and Troy Taylor, chairman and chief executive officer of Coca-Cola Beverages Florida LLC. Those elected to serve for an additional term are Albert P. Carey, chief executive officer of PepsiCo North America; Paul Finney, president and chief executive officer of Pepsi Bottling Ventures LLC; and Claude B. Nielsen, chairman of Coca-Cola Bottling Co. United Inc.

Members of ABA’s Board of Directors serve a four-year term and participate in semi-annual meetings that help shape association programs, policies and initiatives.  Officers are elected annually.  The ABA’s Board is comprised of 29 members..