The JBS SA Board of Directors has named Gilberto Tomazoni as the company’s new CEO. Tomazoni, a veteran with the company, replaces founder José Batista Sobrinho, who was named CEO last year after his sons, Wesley and Joesley, were arrested in a bribery investigation.

“I am very pleased that Tomazoni is my successor. He lives the company’s culture and has a deep knowledge of our business worldwide. As Chief Operating Officer, he led JBS operations with great success and, from now on, will lead the Company in a new phase of its development,” said José Batista Sobrinho.

Gilberto Tomazoni has been an executive at JBS since 2013 and has more than 35 years’ experience in senior positions in the food industry. For the past year he was the Company’s Chief Operating Officer (COO), during which time he was directly involved in JBS’s business strategy globally.

 “I am grateful for the confidence placed in me by José Batista Sobrinho and the Board of Directors. Together with an outstanding team of 230,000 employees around the world, I will be dedicated to consolidating JBS as a global food company, recognized for its unique business model and the quality, safety and innovation of its products and brands,” said Tomazoni. “My commitment is with our company’s reputation and the integrity of our relationships. And, through a relentless attention to transparency, governance and compliance I want JBS to become a global benchmark.”

Sources: Reuters, JBS SA