Molson Coors Beverage Co., parent company of Miller Brewing Co., announced Monday that President and CEO Gavin Hattersley will retire by the end of 2025, prompting a search for a new leader to steer its operations, including its significant Wisconsin footprint. With deep roots in Milwaukee, the company employs thousands and produces millions of barrels of beer annually, anchoring the state’s brewing legacy.
Hattersley, who joined Molson Coors in 2015 as chief financial officer and took the CEO role in 2019, oversaw a shift toward a broader beverage portfolio, adding products like ZOA energy drinks and Fever-Tree mixers while strengthening core brands like Miller Lite and Leinenkugel’s. “Leading Molson Coors over the last several years has been a privilege, and I am immensely proud of what we have accomplished,” Hattersley said. “Our revitalization plan has delivered results, and we are well positioned for continued success.”
In Wisconsin, Molson Coors employs about 2,400 workers, primarily at its Milwaukee brewery, a 78-acre complex in Miller Valley that produces roughly 7.7 million barrels of beer annually, including Miller High Life and Leinenkugel’s Summer Shandy. The company also operates the historic Leinenkugel’s brewery in Chippewa Falls, a 14-acre site employing around 100 people and producing about 241,000 barrels yearly. Molson Coors had modernized the Chippewa Falls facility while preserving its 1867 heritage. Though, now, all production of Leinenkugel’s brands has shifted to Milwaukee, much to the dismay of many in and around Chippewa Falls and throughout the state.
The company’s Wisconsin story began in 1855 when Frederick Miller founded Miller Brewing Co. Ownership passed from the Miller family to Philip Morris in 1969, then to South African Breweries in 2002, forming SABMiller. In 2008, Molson Coors and SABMiller created a joint venture, with Molson Coors gaining full control of Miller Brewing in 2016 for $12 billion. This acquisition solidified its Milwaukee operations, where it remains a top employer and economic driver.
Miller Brewing has long been a prominent corporate sponsor in Wisconsin, notably holding the original naming rights to Miller Park, home of the Milwaukee Brewers, from 2001 to 2020. The company invested $40 million in the stadium’s construction, securing a 20-year naming deal that ended when American Family Insurance took over, renaming it American Family Field. Molson Coors continues as the Brewers’ official beer partner, maintaining a Miller Lite Landing seating area and Leinie Lodge. Miller also sponsors local events like Summerfest, where the Miller Lite Oasis stage draws crowds.
The search for Hattersley’s successor, led by a committee helmed by Chairman Pete Coors, will consider internal and external candidates. “Gavin’s leadership has been instrumental in transforming Molson Coors into a stronger, more resilient company,” Coors said. “The board is committed to identifying a leader who will build on this foundation and drive our vision forward.”
Will the new CEO understand the importance Wisconsin’s brewing heritage has to their various brands? Will this usher in new opportunities for domestic investment, or will we see the corporate footprint here continue to recede?
Molson Coors, with $11.7 billion in net sales last year, plans to announce its next CEO before Hattersley’s exit.
First-quarter 2025 results are set for release on May 8.
