US branded food giant Kraft Foods has announced that Thomas H. Sampson, 43, VP of category sales management and strategy for Kraft Foods North America, has been named executive VP and president, Food Service for Kraft Foods North America, reporting to Rick Searer, group VP and president, Oscar Mayer, Pizza and Food Service.

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Steven Rudnitsky, currently executive VP and president, Food Service, has announced that he is leaving the company to join Cendant Corporation.


“Tom brings a strong customer orientation and leadership skills to his new assignment, and Tony has a proven track record in food service sales. We have a great team in place to lead our food service business,” said Searer. “We thank Steve for his contributions and wish him all the best in his new endeavors at Cendant.”


Sampson joined Kraft in 1985 and has held a number of key marketing and sales assignments throughout the company, including VP, marketing and strategy, Oscar Mayer. He was named VP of category sales management and strategy for Kraft Foods North America in 2001.


In addition, Tony Berger, 46, VP of sales for Food Service, has been appointed GM and VP of sales for Food Service, reporting to Sampson.

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Berger joined the company in 1994 as director of national accounts in Food Service Sales and has held a number of sales positions. He previously was with Pepsi-Cola Company and Lever Brothers.

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