Less than a month after its president’s unexpected death, Labatt has found a new leader.

Fred Jaques has been appointed president of the Labatt Brewing Company, and executive vice-president of Interbrew North America. Prior to his appointment, he served Labatt’s parent, Belgium-based Interbrew, as senior vice-president, business development for Interbrew North America. He brings with him a background in packaged goods marketing, having cut his teeth at Kellogg U.S.A.

He replaces Don Kitchen, who died of a heart attack in August, while on business in Brussels, Belgium.

‘[Jaques'] background and skills are very similar to Don’s,’ says David Kincaid, Labatt’s former senior vice-president of marketing. ‘He’s a strong business manager. He came up through a marketing background, but his passion is business. He’s very aggressive, very results-oriented. He’s a great listener and a strong manager of people.’

Jaques’ first order of business will be to find a replacement for Kincaid, who resigned earlier this month to become vice-president of marketing at Corus Entertainment.