Odwalla President Leaving Company

HALF MOON BAY, Calif.--Doug Levin, president of Odwalla Inc., is leaving the company. Levin helped oversee the merger of the company he founded, Fresh Samantha, with Odwalla; the merger closed in May 2000 and has been good for the financial status of the company. Odwalla's 4Q sales (the first full quarter since the merger) were up 90 percent compared to prior year.

According to Odwalla, Levin will be working as a consultant to Odwalla on a collaborative brand-building project next year. Stephen Williamson, Odwalla's chairman and chief executive officer, will handle Levin's current duties; no new president will be named. "With the transition phase behind us, I am now confident that Odwalla can focus on the business at hand-product innovation, delivery systems and leading with the core values that embody the Odwalla and Fresh Samantha brands," Levin said.

For more information, visit www.odwalla.com or www.freshsamantha.com.