BETHEL, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Duracell and its parent company Berkshire Hathaway announced today that Thom Lachman has been promoted to CEO of the Duracell Company, Inc., effective January 1, 2018. Roberto (Bobby) Mendez will take over Lachman’s former role, being promoted to President of Duracell North America.
Angelo V. Pantaleo, who served as CEO of the Duracell Company since Berkshire Hathaway’s acquisition of the company was completed in March 2016, has accepted the new position of President & COO of Marmon Holdings, Inc., a Berkshire Hathaway Company. He will also continue to provide oversight as Chairman of the Duracell Company Board of Directors.
Lachman joined Berkshire Hathaway as a member of Berkshire Hathaway’s Duracell Transition Team on November 1, 2015, and has served as Duracell’s President of North America since March 1, 2016. Before coming to Berkshire Hathaway, Thom gained over 30 years of experience with Procter & Gamble (P&G). His last role as President of P&G Canada was preceded by a role leading the North America integration of the Gillette acquisition. He also served as the Global Marketing Director for PUR Water Filtration. Rounding out Thom’s P&G career is a variety of brand and manufacturing management roles, having earned both his B. S. in Chemical Engineering and his MBA from Tulane University.
“Thom and Bobby are crucial members of the Duracell leadership team,” said Angelo Pantaleo. “We are excited to see them flourish in these new roles and strengthen even further the success of this great company.”
Bobby joined Berkshire Hathaway officially on the date the Duracell acquisition was completed: March 1, 2016, and has served as Duracell’s President of Latin America & OEM business since that time. Prior to coming to Berkshire Hathaway, Bobby enjoyed a career with Procter & Gamble that spanned over 23 years. For the last 6 years of his P&G career, Bobby served as Duracell’s CFO. Before Duracell, Bobby held a number of financial roles including CFO for P&G Mexico, LA HQ Corporate Finance Associate Director, and Group Manager for Puerto Rico/Caribbean Finance. Bobby earned his BSBA in Finance from Georgetown University.
About Duracell
Started in the 1920s, the Duracell brand and company was recently acquired by Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (NYSE-BRK.A, BRK.B) and has grown to be the leader in the single-use battery market in North America. The iconic Duracell brand is known the world over. Our products serve as the heart of devices that keep people connected, protect their families, entertain them, and simplify their increasingly mobile lifestyles. Our recharging technology allows consumers to live life without limits. Berkshire Hathaway Inc. is a $210B holding company owning subsidiaries that engage in diverse business activities. Visit www.duracell.com for more information; follow us on Twitter.com/Duracell and like us on Facebook.com/Duracell.