Ben & Jerry's Introduces Jostein Solheim as New CEO

By: Ben & Jerry's | 2 Shares 181 Reads

Executive's Experience and Passion for Ice Cream Heralded as a "Double Dip of Leadership"

BURLINGTON, Vt. --(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Vermont's iconic ice cream makers, known for progressive social action as much as for the big chunks and swirls in their ice cream, announced their newest leader today from the home office.

Jostein Solheim was appointed CEO of Ben & Jerry's Homemade Ice Cream and VP Global Brand Development, effective immediately. The new CEO, supported both by Unilever and the Ben & Jerry's Board of Directors, was introduced at the company's South Burlington headquarters during a town-hall style site meeting.

Solheim brings a wealth of ice cream expertise to the position with 14 years experience in five countries for Unilever, Ben & Jerry's Anglo-Dutch parent company. Most recently, Solheim completed a rejuvenation plan for Unilever's North American Ice Cream division through a comprehensive plan that focused on quality and innovative new products. Solheim's global experience and passion for the ice cream business will be critical in leading Ben & Jerry's through the next phase of growth. "My family and I look forward to engaging with the Ben & Jerry's family," stated Solheim. "We're especially excited about the Social Mission," added Solheim, whose family will be relocating to Vermont in the near future.

In typical company spirit, a 'Meet & Greet & Eat' media event has been planned for Tuesday, March 23rd – the Company's national Free Cone Day - to introduce the new CEO and take questions about his role and his vision for the company. And all who attend get a free scoop.

About Ben & Jerry's

Ben & Jerry's produces a wide variety of super-premium ice cream and ice cream novelties, using high-quality ingredients including milk and cream from family farmers who pledge not to treat their cows with the synthetic hormone rBGH. The company states its position on rBGH on its labels. Ben and Jerry's products are distributed nationwide and in selected foreign countries in supermarkets, grocery stores, convenience stores, franchise Ben & Jerry's Scoop Shops, restaurants and other venues. Ben & Jerry's, a Vermont corporation and wholly-owned subsidiary of Unilever, operates its business on a three-part Mission Statement emphasizing product quality, economic reward and a commitment to the community. The goal of the social mission is to integrate a concern for the community into as many day to day business operations as possible while maintaining the product and economic missions. The move to Fair Trade ingredients is driven by that commitment.

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