Bacardi elects two new directors to board

WEDNESDAY, JULY 18: Facundo L. Bacardi, chairman of the board of directors of Bacardi Limited, the largest privately held spirits company in the world, announced yesterday that two new directors have been elected to serve on the company’s 16-member board of directors.

According to a press statement, the newly elected directors are Georgia Garinois-Melenikiotou and Patrice Louvet. They were elected to the board at the company’s annual general meeting on July 12.

Mr Bacardi said: “These two highly accomplished professionals bring expertise in the management of global luxury brands and consumer packaged goods to the Bacardi Limited board of directors.

“As we celebrate the 150th anniversary of the founding of Bacardi and extend our leadership position within the spirits industry, these appointments continue to reflect the Company’s commitment to corporate governance.”

Georgia Garinois-Melenikiotou, 52, is currently senior vice president, Corporate Marketing, for the Estée Lauder companies, a role that she has held since April 2010. Ms Garinois-Melenikiotou joined Estee Lauder after a 26-year career with Johnson & Johnson, where she held various progressive global leadership positions for more than 20 years.

Notably, she was namedone of the 2011 AdvertisingAge ‘Women to Watch’. Ms Garinois-Melenikiotou is a Fulbright scholar and holds a master’s degree in management from MIT Sloan School of Management and a degree in mechanical engineering from National Polytechnic of Athens.

Patrice Louvet, 47, is currently president, Global Grooming and Shave Care, for the Procter & Gamble Company (P&G), with responsibility for the global Gillette shaving business. Prior to this role, from 2008-2011, Mr. Louvet served as president, Global Prestige, with responsibility for P&Gs SK II skin care, Gucci, Dolce & Gabbana, Hugo Boss fragrances.

Mr Louvet began his 23-year career with P&G in Marketing in France in 1989. Mr. Louvet holds a master’s degree in business administration from Ecole Superieure de Commerce de Paris and from the University of Illinois.

Melanie Healey (elected in 2008) and Philip Shearer (elected in 2006) are retiring from the board after distinguished periods of service to the company and its shareholders.

“We are thankful to have had both Philip and Melanie serve on our Board, and are grateful for their many contributions and the positive impact each has made on the Company,” added Mr Bacardi.