Lassonde appoints new CEO

Lassonde promotes Vince Timpano, currently president and COO, as the company’s CEO, effective September 1, 2024.

The promotion is part of Lassonde’s leadership transition plan for its board of directors and certain members of its executive management team.

Pierre-Paul Lassonde, board chair, will share his responsibilities by co-chairing the board along with Nathalie Lassonde, between September 1, 2024 and January 1, 2025. He will thereafter continue to serve as a board member.

Nathalie Lassonde, currently CEO and board vice-chair, will start a transition process that will lead her to serve as executive VP of Lassonde and board co-chair from September 1, 2024. On January 1, 2025, she will become executive chair of the board and will step down as executive VP of Lassonde.

“The time has come for me to pass the torch onto the next generation of leaders to carry out our organization’s vision and goals for the future. Nathalie embodies the values, integrity, respect and responsibility that have made Lassonde what it is today. She has gained an in-depth understanding of the business in her 20 years at Lassonde, both as a member of the board and in her role as CEO, that will help her guide the management team in the coming years. I am confident that she will leave her mark as an inspiring and inclusive leader,” said Pierre-Paul Lassonde.

“Vince has shown great vision, leadership and expertise in implementing a business strategy that will prove instrumental to our future growth. His alignment with our values, as well as extensive business experience, will serve him well in his new role,” said Nathalie Lassonde.

“Over the past few years, I have discovered an exceptional company with a group of very dedicated employees. I want to thank the Lassonde family and the board for their confidence in me. I look forward to building on the heritage of this storied North American food and beverage company,” Timpano said.

Timpano has been Lassonde’s president and COO since 2021. Prior to that, he was the president and CEO of Lassonde’s U.S. subsidiary, Lassonde Pappas and Company from 2020. Before his leadership positions at Lassonde, he served in various executive roles over a period of 20 years, including president, global coalitions at Aimia, president of Coca-Cola Canada and president and CEO of the Minute Maid Company Canada. He has also served on numerous boards, including as chair of United Way Toronto. He currently serves on the board of advisors for the Napoleon Group of Companies. Timpano is a graduate of the Institute of Corporate Directors, Rotman School of Management of the University of Toronto and holds an MBA from the Ivey Business School of the University of Western Ontario.