StarKist Co., a producer, distributor and marketer of shelf-stable seafood products in the U.S., announced In-Soo Cho was named the company's new president and chief executive officer.
A professional with more than 30 years of experience, Cho has studied, lived and worked in four continents. He has held senior management positions in consumer packaged goods and the restaurant industry, and brings a wealth of experience related to business development and start-up operations in international markets.
"Leading the StarKist Team is an honor, and I am looking forward to taking the business to a new level by working with the dedicated team of people in the United States as well as in other parts of the world, especially American Samoa and Ecuador," said Cho in a prepared statement. "StarKist is one of the most recognized brands in America and is a leader in seafood business. As a company focused exclusively on providing the highest quality seafood to American families, we have a tremendous opportunity to build and expand our business."
Before coming to StarKist, Cho was the principal of his own consulting firm, Insight & Strategy Co., with a focus on consumer goods and the restaurant industry. In addition, he was an investor, advisor and director of several companies and private equities. Prior to that, Cho worked for Yum Restaurants International (YRI) from 1997 to 2008, where he held a number of positions including president, Pizza Hut Korea; chairman, KFC Japan board of directors in Tokyo; board member, Pizza Hut UK in London and chief marketing officer, senior vice president, YRI in Dallas, Texas.
Cho also worked for Procter & Gamble from 1984 to 1997, where he began his brand management career and worked in its operations in Switzerland, the U.S., Korea and Japan.
Before coming to the U.S., Cho obtained his college degree and worked in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Born and raised in Korea, Cho received his MBA from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business and is fluent in Korean, English and Portuguese. He will reside in Pittsburgh, Pa., where StarKist Co. is headquartered.
