Sol-Ti Founder O’Donnell Steps Down as President, CEO
Sol-ti founder Ryne O’Donnell along with the board of directors has appointed former chief executive officer of Pressed Juicery, Pawan Kalra, as president & CEO of the company. O’Donnell steps into new role as founder, chairman and chief vitality advocate, nine years after founding the company.
“The board and I led an exhaustive search to find the ideal leader for Sol-ti’s future. Pawan’s experience and background provide the optimal blend of commercialization expertise, manufacturing and operational excellence with financial acumen – skillsets which drive meaningful growth to build upon our existing national distribution foundation,” said O’Donnell.
O’Donnell continued, “Furthermore, Pawan brings people together, leveraging individuals’ strengths to improve team performance. It is also important that the leader of our organization believes in leading a healthy lifestyle and commitment to sustainability, both attributes that drew us to Pawan.”
Most recently, Kalra was at Pressed Juicery for over six years in various leadership positions including CFO and COO, and culminating in his role as CEO, which he held for more than three years. Prior to Pressed Juicery, he was CFO at Pinkberry in which he was instrumental in navigating through growth and liquidity.
“What is unique about Pawan is his experience in leading companies through growth phases while improving profitability. His accomplishments at Pinkberry – which spanned across 20+ countries with 260+ locations as well as at Pressed Juicery – where he led the company through its expansion into grocery and retail distribution, market expansion of their 100+ brick and mortar stores, and driving their digital growth strategy is downright impressive,” said O’Donnell.
Kalra added, “I’m thrilled to be joining the team at Sol-ti as we embark on the next chapter of the brand’s growth journey. As I’ve had an opportunity to spend time with Ryne over the last few months, I was drawn to Sol-ti’s authentic commitment to help consumers lead a healthier lifestyle without compromise. I look forward to bringing the brand into more homes nationally.”
According to IRI, Sol-ti has increased distribution to 55,000+ Points of Distribution in the US, spanning 8,500+ retail locations and producing a record revenue period for the company, last 12 weeks ending June 18.
Sol-ti is distributed nationally in more than 8,500+ retail locations and is headquartered in San Diego, Calif.
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Black Rock Coffee Bar Sets Fall Drink Menu
Black Rock Coffee Bar, a national boutique coffee chain, will celebrate the season with its new lineup of fall drinks that will be available from Sept. 1-Oct. 31 in all its more than 100 Black Rock Coffee Bar stores across seven states including Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Oregon, Texas and Washington.
Stealing the spotlight on the autumn menu are irresistible Pumpkin and Kettle Corn flavors. Among them, the much-loved Pumpkin Blondie stands as a cherished favorite at Black Rock Coffee Bar. Adding to the excitement is a new and fresh addition to the lineup – the delectable Kettle Corn flavor.
Rounding out the fall 2023 drink menu is the Berry Scary Fuel drink from the brand’s popular Fuel energy drink brand. With this menu, the fast-growing coffee chain aims to provide its customers with a variety of flavorful drinks to choose from.
Pumpkin Flavored Drinks
- Pumpkin Blondie – To get into the spirit of the season, the Pumpkin Blondie is a twist to Black Rock’s all-time favorite drink, the Caramel Blondie. The Pumpkin Blondie is made with hints of caramel, white chocolate and pumpkin. For a finishing touch, it is topped with cinnamon + nutmeg. The Pumpkin Blondie can be served hot, iced or blended. The Pumpkin Blondie can also be prepared as a shake without the coffee.
- Pumpkin Spice Latte – Spice up a traditional latte with hints of warm pumpkin, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
Kettle Corn Flavored Drinks
- Kettle Corn Shaken Espresso – Black Rock Coffee Bar is bringing the flavor of yummy kettle corn to its Fall drink lineup with the Kettle Corn Shaken Espresso – a rich full-bodied espresso shaken and mellowed by notes of salty, sweet and freshly popped corn.
- Kettle Corn Cold Brew – The Kettle Corn Cold Brew is Black Rock’s signature cold brew with notes of salty, sweet and freshly popped corn.
*Create a customized fall drink utilizing Black Rock’s new Kettle Corn flavor. Suggested drink options include lattes, breves and shakes.
Fuel Featured Energy Drink
- Berry Scary Fuel – The Berry Scary Fuel features Black Rock’s popular energy drink brand, Fuel. It is made with Organic fuel mixed with coconut, strawberry and raspberry and is garnished with a gummy eyeball.*
*Gummy garnishes will be available for a limited time at participating Black Rock Coffee Bar locations and is subject to availability. Request for extra gummies will be dependent on availability and cost an additional fee.
Each drink price will vary depending on modifications to the original receipt including alternative milks, additional flavors or additional shots.
Guided by its three principles – coffee, community and connection, the popular coffee chain was founded in Oregon and is known for its premium roasted coffees, teas, smoothies and flavorful Fuel energy drinks. Its mission is to be a positive force in the communities it serves. The boutique coffee chain was named the Fastest Growing Private Company in Oregon and SW Washington in 2021 by the Portland Business Journal. Most recently, Inc. Magazine ranked Black Rock Coffee Bar No. 1179th on its 2023 Inc. 5000 Annual List, the most prestigious ranking of the fastest-growing private companies in America.
Founded as a family owned and operated business in Oregon in 2008, Black Rock Coffee Bar has grown to more than 115 retail locations in seven states. The Black Rock culture prides itself on not only being a positive force for the communities it serves, but also the team members that fuel their locations day in and day out. An important aspect of their team mission is to recognize those that go above and beyond by displaying the 4Gs of Black Rock – grit, growth, gratitude, and grace.
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Zevia CFO Steps Down, Neubauer Appointed as Interim
Zevia PBC announced that Florence Neubauer, Zevia’s current senior vice president, financial planning & analysis, has been appointed interim chief financial officer, replacing Denise D. Beckles, who will be leaving the company effective Sept. 4 to pursue another opportunity. The company has launched a formal search process to identify a permanent replacement.
Neubauer has over 25 years of finance and accounting experience in the consumer products industry including extensive experience in beverage. Prior to joining Zevia, she served as chief financial officer of Assouline Publishing, a book publisher and luxury lifestyle company, and held progressive roles of responsibility at PepsiCo, Pernod Ricard and Honeywell.
Neubauer holds a French MBA in International Business from ISG Insitut Superieur de Gestion. She will report to Amy Taylor, Zevia’s president and CEO, until a permanent successor is named.
“Zevia has a deep pool of finance and accounting talent,” said Taylor. “We are confident that under Florence’s leadership, working in close partnership with the rest of the team including Hany Mikhail, our chief accounting officer, we will continue to strengthen our business, drive growth and accelerate our path to profitability, capitalizing on the increasing demand for the Zevia brand. We wish Denise well in her future endeavors.”
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