Johnson to Head Heinz's Global Seafood Team

H. J. Heinz Company has promoted Edgar Johnson to president and chief operating officer - Heinz Global Seafood. Johnson will report to Daniel O'Neill, executive vice president, and will have additional reporting responsibilities to Malcolm Ritchie, executive vice president - Europe, regarding business performance on that continent.

In this newly created position, Johnson assumes primary responsibility for all aspects of Heinz's global seafood category, including worldwide operations, procurement, marketing, sales, acquisitions and new growth. Johnson had previously been president and CEO of StarKist Seafood in North America.

Heinz tuna brands currently account for about 21% of the worldwide tuna category. The processing facilities for these brands are located in Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Ecuador, France, Portugal, Ghana and the Seychelles.