MONTREAL/October 2, 2003—
The MBA Alumni of the Year Award is presented to an MBA graduate who has demonstrated outstanding professional achievement and dedication to the community at large and to our alma mater. This year, we have the privilege of acknowledging the accomplishments of Edward Marra, L BComm 74, MBA 76.
Even though we've all already eaten, once I describe Ed Marra's achievements and all the food brands he's been associated with at NestlÈ, you'll be salivating for more. Ed has forged a long and highly successful career based on his innovative marketing know-how and sound leadership in the food and beverage industry.
After completing his business degrees at Loyola and Concordia in the mid '70s, Ed, a native Montrealer, worked at Robin Hood Multifoods. He then joined NestlÈ Canada in 1981, where he worked on the marketing of the company's coffee product lines, awakening our senses to brands such as NescafÈ and Taster's Choice. He was subsequently promoted to Senior Vice-President and General Manager of the frozen food, chilled and pet food divisions ó marketing nutritional treats for the entire family, where ìall you add is love.î
In 1990, Ed received a ìbig chill,î of sorts, being named vice-president of frozen entrees for NestlÈ in the U.S., and later became executive vice-president and general manager of NestlÈ Frozen Food. He spearheaded the revitalization of Stouffer's and worked on introducing the Lean Cuisine brand. He was promoted to president of NestlÈ's U.S. Beverages Division in 1996, building it to one of the strongest operations within NestlÈ.
The year 2001 brought Ed back NestlÈ Canada as president and CEO, to oversee the full operations for the company's beverages, confectionary, pet care, meals, ice cream, food services and nutrition divisions. Over the past two years, with his special marketing savvy, Ed has dished out innovative products to the Canadian public, such as the NestlÈ Sundae, and other ice cream delights enjoyed by children and adults alike ó even, it seems (if commercials are to be believed), sweet-toothed nuns. To NestlÈ Canada, he has brought a fresh direction founded on effective communication and a supportive and creative workplace environment.
In all his capacities at NestlÈ, Ed has brought a passion to succeed, along with keen insight into how to adapt products to changing markets, and maintain competitive edge and top-line growth. In business, change is inevitable, and successful growth depends on leadership ó Ed Marra's groundbreaking-management style has been emulated across the company globally, which speaks volumes to his exceptional professional achievement.
Ed is also active in professional associations, serving on the executive committees of the Food Industry Association, the Food and Consumer Product Manufacturers of Canada, and as a member of the Grocery Industry Foundation. This fall, Ed was appointed to NestlÈ S.A. in Switzerland, the confectioner's worldwide headquarters, as Executive Vice-President of Strategic Business Units and Marketing. His story of accomplishment, which we can share great pride in as a Concordia success story, continues overseas.
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