Acosta names CPG, retail execs to board of directors

Sales and marketing agency Acosta, fresh off its recapitalization, has named a new board of directors. The new board comprises retail and CPG executives who bring decades of experience to their roles. 

Among the new members is Walgreens executive Joe Hartsig, currently senior vice president at the drug chain. Among his experience is his time as Walgreens chief merchandising officer, in which he led buying for the company’s stores and e-commerce offering, as well as owned brand and merchandising planning. He’ll bring more than 30 years of experience in brand marketing in tech, retail and CPG to the role.

Also joining the board is Joe Crafton, currently principal with Wingshooter Investments who retired from CPG sales and marketing agency Crossmark as CEO in 2014, having been at the company since 1988 and previously holding sales and management positions at Procter & Gamble. Mark Gross, currently leading Surry Investment Advisors and working as lead director of Tops Markets has been added. Gross was CEO of Supervalu for two years and served as co-president, CFO and general counsel of C&S wholesale Grocers for nine years, bringing with him more than 20 years in the grocery business. 

Another addition is Grant LaMontagne, who brings 40 years of experience to Acosta’s board, much of which was spent at Clorox, where he became senior vice president and chief customer officer. He also has been president of consumer sales/customer development at Kimberly-Clark North America and currently is a senior advisor with McKinsey. 

The board also will include Acosta CEO Darian Pickett and representatives from Acosta’s largest investors, including:

• Dave Miller, equity partner and senior portfolio manager at Elliott Management;
• Austin Camporin, portfolio manager at Elliott Management;
• Jeremy Grant, associate portfolio manager at Elliott Management;
• Morgan Blackwell, managing member at Davidson Kempner Capital Management;
• Kaj Vazales, managing director of Oaktree Capital Management; and 
• Michael Cohen, partner at Nexus Capital Management. 

"We're entering a new decade feeling energized and more confident than ever with the addition of our new board members," Pickett said. "The depth of experience among this impressive group of leaders will provide Acosta with an unparalleled competitive edge as we set our sights on strategic growth and innovation for the benefit of our clients, customers and people."

Board members assumed responsibilities Jan. 1 and will be supported by an advisory board that Acosta said would be appointed early this year to provide industry expertise and other services.