New CEO of Heineken USA breaks glass ceiling

Heineken USA has named Maggie Timoney as its new chief executive officer – the first time in its history that a woman will have led its business, and the first to lead a major American beer supplier.

Maggie Timoney has been named new chief executive officer of Heineken USA

Timoney will join Heineken USA from Heineken Ireland, where she has served as CEO for the last five years, taking over the role from Ronald den Elzen, who is taking up a global role within Heineken NV in Holland.

Timoney joined Heineken in 1998 in a national sales planning role for Heineken USA and then held a series of sales, strategic planning and distribution roles in the Netherlands before being named the managing director of Heineken Canada in 2006.

She returned to Heineken USA in 2010 as SVP of human resources and a member of the management team.

Before Heineken, Timoney worked in sales for E&J Gallo and as an Anheuser-Busch wholesaler in The Bronx.

“Maggie is a competitive and energetic leader who is known for inspiring teams, operationalizing plans and mobilizing organizations to deliver business results,” said Marc Busain, Heineken Americas region president.

“She understands the challenges and opportunities that exist within the US market and she has the right mix of strategic vision, people leadership and grit to ignite future growth for Heineken USA.”

Timoney, a graduate of Iona College and a former college basketball standout, is moving back to the US with her family this summer.