Rodney Williams

Summary

Rodney Williams is an established leader, board advisor and corporate CEO and president with 30+ years of experience from top companies and private equity-backed startups across numerous consumer sectors, from luxury to mass market. A seasoned leader, award-winning marketer, and strategic advisor with a proven record of brand-building and revenue and profit growth. Currently, he serves as a strategic advisor to Zitti, Qonsent, and CBKG as well as a board director of The James Beard Foundation. Previously, he completed a nearly 11-year stint at LVMH’s wine and spirts division Moët Hennessy, where he spearheaded the US turnaround of iconic Hennessy Cognac and the launch of its Never Stop. Never Settle campaign, CMO for all MH brands in the US, and ultimately the first American to lead a global business franchise, Belvedere Vodka. Prior to this, Rodney served as SVP of Classics Brands at Jackson Family Wines, where he led the biggest new product launch in the company’s history, Kendall-Jackson Avant. His first foray into wine & spirits was at Robert Mondavi, where he served as SVP of Lifestyle Brands and led the turnaround of Woodbridge and Robert Mondavi Private Selection, and continued with the company with an expanded portfolio after its acquisition by Constellation Wines. Earlier in his career, Rodney led the marketing for the national launch of OnStar for General Motors with ad campaign that garnered over 30 awards; had a five year stint at Johnson & Johnson, where, as the US & Canada Group Product Director Band-Aid/First Aid/Home Health Care/Sports Aid franchise, he led Band-Aid Brand’s biggest share gain in prior five years; Procter & Gamble, where he started on the $1 billion Pampers business; and, GE, as an intern working on the launch of energy-efficient lighting. Specialties: CEO, president, board director, strategic advisor, general management, brand-building strategic planning and positioning, global marketing, team building, luxury brand management, new product development, digital transformation, advertising & promotions, public relations, retail merchandising, P&L management, field sales & distribution management, and packaging development