Jones Soda Co., maker of the Mary Jones brand, has named David Knight as president and CEO, effective June 23. 

Knight will succeed Mark Murray, who announced his intention to retire on that date.

“As a leading craft soda manufacturer with a growing line of cannabis products, I am excited about the opportunity to lead Jones, and I’m looking forward to working with the company’s dedicated employees to continue to build value for the company’s shareholders,” Knight said. “I believe Jones is well-positioned for continued growth, and I look forward to building on the momentum that Mark has started.”

Knight has previously served as vice president of marketing, Gatorade International, for PepsiCo International; vice president of marketing, Asia Pacific, for Quaker Oats; vice president of internal communications for eBay Inc.; and most recently was CEO and co-founder of SX Latin Liquors, a startup company that developed and launched Latin spirits, and chief beverage officer for CFH Ltd., where he built a beverage division that included CBD beverages. 

 Knight has a Bachelor of Business degree in marketing from the University of New South Wales in Sydney, Australia.

“David brings to us over 37 years of global marketing, sales and corporate communications experience with some of the world’s premier food and beverage companies,” said Paul Norman, chairman of the Board. “The Board feels that his successful track record of growing and managing dynamic and youthful brands makes David the perfect person to lead Jones as the company works to continue to build on the significant progress Mark Murray has made as our CEO over the past few years.”

Murray will continue to remain on Jones Soda Co.’s board as a director.

“I’m extremely happy with the growth the company has experienced over the last three years and am confident that David brings the background and experience necessary to continue Jones’ organic growth and to further diversify our product offerings,” Murray said.

“On behalf of the full board, I would like to thank Mark for his tireless service to Jones as president and CEO,” Norman added. “He has been an integral part of Jones’ significant revenue growth over the last few years and the successful execution of the company’s three-year strategic turnaround plan. Mark also was instrumental in the company’s successful entry into the cannabis market with the launch of the company’s Mary Jones brand of cannabis products. We feel that his dedication and leadership have well positioned Jones for continued growth moving forward and look forward to his continued contribution to the company as a member of the board.”