The Procter & Gamble Company announced that Mariano Martin, global customer business development officer, will retire effective June 30, 2009, after 33 years of service. He will step down from his current role on February 1, when he will focus on working closely with his successor (Robert L. Fregolle, Jr.) to ensure a smooth transition with P&G's retail customers and global customer business development organization. Fregolle, currently vice president of customer business development for P&G Asia, will report to Werner Geissler, vice chairman - global operations.
"Mariano's vision and leadership has enabled P&G to become a strong partner and preferred supplier to retail customers around the world," said A.G. Lafley, chairman of the board and CEO, P&G. "He's worked closely with leading retailers to create joint value and establish new ways of working together. He's delivered P&G brands to more of the world's consumers by expanding distribution to new retail channels and millions of high-frequency stores, and he's strengthened the capabilities of our global customer business development organization."
On Fregolle's appointment, Lafley said, "Bob has been part of P&G's customer business development leadership for more than a decade. He's worked in developed and developing markets and global and regional businesses, and has partnered with large retailers, distributors and high-frequency stores. Most recently, as vice president - customer business development, Asia, Bob initiated the transition to a single CBD organization focused on leveraging P&G's scale to reach millions of Asian consumers. He has the diverse, global experience to continue to strengthen our customer relationships in this challenging business environment and beyond."