USA: Heineken USA Names Allan O'Neil General Manager of the Western Region

Heineken USA, the nation's largest beer importer, announced on October 21 that Allan O'Neil has been named General Manager of Heineken USA's Western Region, replacing Ken Kunze who recently was promoted to the position of Vice President Marketing, Heineken USA.

O'Neil, who most recently directed HUSA's national retail sales efforts, will be responsible for driving Heineken USA's sales and marketing in 13 western states, including leading the continued successful integration of the five FEMSA Cerveza Mexican beer brands into the Heineken USA portfolio, a key objective for the Company in the Western U.S.

During his two years with Heineken USA, O'Neil achieved a number of impressive sales successes, including partnering with numerous national convenience and grocery customers as I/S validators, growing the Wal-Mart business for the Company over 30 percent annually, and implementing Heineken's upgraded Green Standards.

Prior to joining Heineken, O'Neil worked for 20 years for Coca Cola Enterprises and Coke New York in various positions ranging from Area Vice President in New Jersey, to Vice President, Sales and Marketing in New York/New Jersey.

"I am delighted that we are able to make this appointment from within the Heineken USA family," said Don Blaustein, Vice President of Sales, Heineken USA. "I am confident that Allan will provide the necessary leadership that will allow our team in the Western Region to build upon the success they have achieved over the past few years under Ken Kunze."

O'Neil will be leading the Western Region from Heineken USA's Los Angeles office. He has begun to transition into his new role, and will assume his new responsibilities full-time by November 15.

"I could not have asked for a better opportunity than to lead the Western Region," O'Neil added. "In addition to the FEMSA brands, our core brands of Heineken, Amstel Light and the impending roll-out of Heineken Premium Light all have great development potential, and this is an incredibly exciting time for me professionally, as well as for the Company."

O'Neil received his B.A. from Wesleyan University in Middletown, Connecticut and his M.B.A from the University of Connecticut.

Heineken USA Inc., the nation's largest beer importer, is a subsidiary of Heineken International (Netherlands), which is the world's most international brewer. Brands imported into the U.S. include: Heineken Lager, the world's most international beer brand; Heineken Dark; Amstel Light, the largest-selling imported light beer brand; and Buckler non-alcoholic brew. Heineken USA is also the exclusive USA importer for the Tecate, Dos Equis, Sol, Carta Blanca and Bohemia brands from FEMSA Cerveza of Mexico.