Anheuser-Busch has announced personnel changes in its National Retail Sales organization, led by Chris Williams, vice president NRS.

Effective April 2, 2012 Manny Zayas will become the vice president and team lead, Walmart, Sam’s Club and Walmart International. Zayas joined the organization last year as vice president of convenience and successfully merged the c-store and drug channel to form the Small Format team. His extensive background in sales and category management within snacks, carbonated soft drinks, and beer will serve him well in his new role managing our largest customer.

Zayas is replacing Kevin Meegan who is returning to the position of retail sales director, Region 2. Meegan navigated Anheuser-Busch through a great deal of change over the past 18 months, including a full restructure of the operations and merchandising team, ultimately providing a roadmap for winning in a decentralized Walmart.

Tony Gaines will replace Zayas as vice president of Small Format. Gaines recently joined the organization as senior director of sales managing our largest convenience customer, 7-Eleven. He spent the first 20 years of his career at E & J Gallo Winery, most recently managing the convenience and drug channels. Gaines has a degree in business management from Purdue University and is a National Association of Convenience Stores (NACS) board member.

“I look forward to new challenges and continuing the great work that Zayas and his team have done in small format,” Gaines said. “I’m committed to continuing to drive his standards on improving the beer business in the channel and the overall business of Anheuser-Busch.”

Mike Potthoff will continue in his role as vice president, large format and Tom Toczylowski remains vice president, on-premise and military.