January 15/Rolle, Switzerland/Press Release -- ADM Cocoa is restructuring its organization into five key regions and business units, as it looks to enhance the level of service and support offered to customers by its global cocoa and chocolate team.

Part of ADM’s ongoing commitment to providing premium cocoa solutions, the reorganization sees a number of appointments and role expansions:
• Grant Belden has been named general manager, Global Trading, Sourcing and Semi-Finished.
• Benoit Villers will lead Global Gourmet, and Marketing. His responsibilities include the recently launched deZaan Gourmet collection, which has been specially developed to meet growing consumer demand for high quality cocoa products. After a successful launch in Asia, ADM will continue to focus on this new gourmet line of cocoa products specially developed for artisan bakers and chefs.
• Chris Beetge now heads up Europe and the Middle East and Dennis Whalen will remain in charge of the Americas. Yeong Chye continues as managing director, Cocoa Asia, where ADM has recently expanded its cocoa processing facility in Singapore.

Scott Walker continues to head the team as president, ADM Cocoa. He comments, “The five leaders will have full business responsibility for all activities in their regions and business units, including commercial, sales, product development and operations. We are confident that, with such a strong team in place, we can continue to draw on our knowledge of cocoa and the rich heritage of deZaan™ to deliver great results for our customers that surpass consumers’ expectations.”

In addition, Kai-Uwe Ostheim will become general manager, Global Sustainability Cocoa as part of ADM’s ongoing commitment to a sustainable future for cocoa farming. He will take a leadership position in moving the global sustainability program forward. He will partner with stakeholders involved in the cocoa supply chain, working closely with ADM’s global customer base to provide sustainable cocoa and chocolate solutions. Kai-Uwe will also be responsible for ADM’s flagship cocoa sustainability program – Socially and Environmentally Responsible Agricultural Practices (SERAP). Rinus Heemskerk will expand his role as Global Director of Innovation. His areas of responsibility will include the Advantage Centre network, where customers can work alongside ADM’s technical experts to tailor formulations to add value throughout the development process, as well as the ‘Less is More’ program, which offers solutions to customers that help to contain costs without compromising quality.

Tim Coonan has been named vice president, Global Risk Cocoa and will now chair ADM’s Global Cocoa Risk Committee.