Essentia Water Announces Appointment of New Chief Executive Officer

Company founder and current CEO Ken Uptain to transition to Executive Chairman role

BOTHELL, Wash.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Essentia Water, the pioneer of ionized alkaline bottled water in the U.S., today announced that founder and CEO Ken Uptain has elected Scott Miller, CEO of Tampico Beverages, Inc., to succeed him as the company’s CEO, following his decision to move into an Executive Chairman role. The leadership changes will take effect June 1, 2020.

“In reflecting on the years I’ve spent growing Essentia into the national brand it is today and the opportunity I see for what’s ahead, I have decided it’s the right time to expand our executive team by bringing on a new CEO,” said Ken Uptain, founder and CEO, Essentia Water. “I have always envisioned Essentia to be a global company and I believe we can be a $1 Billion brand. I am fully confident that Scott, who is a seasoned CEO in the food and beverage industry, has the strong experience and track record to achieve this vision and lead the company into its next big growth stage.”

Scott Miller brings over 30 years of experience in the beverage industry to Essentia, currently serving as the CEO of Tampico Beverages, Inc., a global brand with products sold in 50 countries across the globe. In his 15 years there, Scott has led the company through innovative product expansions, provided global strategic insight, and built a strong Executive Leadership Team along with a culture of empowerment. Other brands he’s worked with include PEPSI, Snapple, Gatorade and Dr. Pepper, among several others. His deep-rooted knowledge of the beverage space and experience in leading brands through domestic and international expansion while emphasizing culture as a force for good, position him to be a strong leader for Essentia as it enters into a new decade of growth and leadership as a premium water brand.

“I am honored to join the Essentia team at such a pivotal time for the business,” said Scott Miller, CEO, Tampico Beverages. “Ken has blazed an amazing trail over the years, building Essentia into a brand that consumers love and identify with in their everyday lives – that can be seen through its quarter-over-quarter, year-over-year momentum. I look forward to stepping into the role of CEO and continuing this incredible work, as we strive to make Essentia a global brand!”

Scott will work closely with Ken and Essentia’s current Senior Leadership team, as Ken shifts to Executive Chairman with a new focus on maintaining and building relationships with key Essentia business partners, distributors and retailers.

The executive leadership change comes after Essentia’s most successful quarter yet with $74 million in measured retail sales and 2019 milestones such as being named BevNET’s Best of 2019 “Brand of the Year.”

To learn more about Essentia and ongoing initiatives, or to find a retailer near you, please visit essentiawater.com.

About Essentia Water, LLC:

The first ionized alkaline bottled water offered in the United States, Essentia’s philosophy is that a better you starts with a better water. Headquartered in Bothell, WA, Essentia Water, LLC pioneered ionized alkaline water in 1998 and is known for its unique ionization process. The brand is now distributed in nearly 90,000 retailers across the United States. It’s the #1 alkaline water brand and the #1 selling bottled water brand in the natural channel¹. In a clinical study conducted in 2016, Essentia was shown to be better at rehydrating². To learn more about Essentia, please visit essentiawater.com or connect with Essentia on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.

¹IRI/SPINS/WFM P9 2019 Ending 3/22/2020.

²Results of a double-blind, placebo controlled clinical study with Essentia Water vs. a leading bottled water in healthy subjects over two hours following moderate aerobic exercise.