by WTN Staff

Orangeburg, N.Y.-based RTD maker New Leaf Brands has a new COO, Bill Sipper.

According to a statement released Tuesday by the company, Sipper has 20 years of experience in the food and beverage industry. Before joining New Leaf, he was founder of Cascadia Consulting Group, a consultancy for the consumer packaged goods industry. On Dec. 29, New Leaf announced it had signed a consulting agreement with Cascadia, which was to assist with New Leaf's strategy development and company expansion.

Prior to founding Cascadia, Sipper had previously held positions with Ultimate Juice, Keeper Springs, Nantucket Nectars, Fresh Samantha, Chatham Beverage and Evian Natural Spring Water.

"Having worked with Bill at Fresh Juice Company and Fresh Samantha, I am thrilled to have his full-time guidance and counsel here at New Leaf," New Leaf President and CEO Eric Skae said in a statement. "Bill brings the necessary experience and talent to help guide New Leaf through the high growth expansion phase that the company now has under way."

Skae founded New Leaf in 2004.