LOS ANGELES — Caliwater has named Blair Owens as its chief executive officer. Owens is the company’s first CEO as the role was newly established, according to Caliwater.
Owens was appointed CEO following the departure of Nick Benz, who was the company’s president since September 2022.
As Caliwater’s CEO, Owens will accelerate distribution and innovation as well as strengthen customer execution and support across channels.
Owens comes to the cactus water beverage company from Hint, Inc., where he previously was CEO.
He joined Hint in November 2017 as senior vice president of beverage and later was promoted to chief commercial officer and interim CEO in November 2022.
Prior to Hint, Owens was vice president of marketing for Hansen’s Craft Beverage Division at The Coca-Cola Co.
His earlier roles included vice president of marketing at Monster Energy Co.; senior marketing manager at E&J Gallo Winery; brand manager at The Coca-Cola Co.; and senior researcher at Procter & Gamble.
“Blair is a proven operator with deep category expertise and a consumer-first approach that aligns perfectly with Caliwater’s mission,” said Oliver Trevena, co-founder of Caliwater. “He understands how to scale brands with intention, build high-performing teams, and execute with discipline. We’re excited to partner with him as we unlock the next phase of Caliwater’s growth.”
Prior to being named president at Caliwater, Benz was an adviser at Richard’s Rainwater and previously was the founder and CEO of Betera.
Benz has held multiple leadership positions at companies including Barrel Creek Provisions, Jackson Family Wines, Fiji Water, and Landmark Vineyards.
Co-founded in 2021 by actress Vanessa Hudgens and Trevena, Caliwater is an alternative plant-based beverage formulated with prickly-pear cactus.
The beverage’s formulation also features organic blue agave, organic prickly-pear powder, natural prickly-pear flavor and organic monk fruit extract.
Its flavors include prickly pear, ginger and lime, watermelon, pineapple and peach mango.
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