Matthew Dent Tapped As Next Buffalo Rock CEO

Tuscaloosa AL

08 March, 2021

1:09 PM

Description

BIRMINGHAM, AL — Buffalo Rock Co. has named President and Chief Operating Officer Matthew Dent as the Birmingham-based Pepsi bottler's next CEO, taking the place of CEO Jimmy Lee III, whose family has owned and operated the privately-held company for four generations. The Birmingham Business Journal's Ty West was the first to report on the change, which will make Dent the first head of the company who is not a member of the Lee family — who founded the bottling company in 1901. Over the years, the company grew into one of the largest family-owned Pepsi bottlers in the country, operating 14 distribution centers in Alabama, Florida and Georgia. Click here to subscribe to our free daily newsletter and breaking news alerts. Buffalo Rock has operated a division in Tuscaloosa since 1986, expanding the line and acquiring Dr. Pepper franchise rights in 1988. The Tuscaloosa division distributes soft drinks throughout Bibb, Greene, Hale, Pickens and Tuscaloosa counties, serving a population of approximately 250,000. The company also said in a press release that Lee will stay on as executive chairman of the company and will be involved at a strategic level with Buffalo Rock's operations. Buffalo Rock CEO Matthew Dent (second from right) shares a laugh with warehouse employees. (Buffalo Rock Co.)Buffalo Rock says Dent will handle the overall day-to-day performance of the company. "Today's a very exciting day for the Buffalo Rock family and for the future of our company," Lee said. "This year we are celebrating the 120-year anniversary of when my family started our company right here in Birmingham and we have come a long way since that time thanks to our employee-partners. Matthew has shown the necessary skills to lead the company into the future and I have complete confidence in his leadership. He knows and practices the culture that defines and makes our company a great success." Dent got his start with the company 25 years ago in the Tuscaloosa division of Buffalo Rock while he was a student at the University of Alabama. After being involved in numerous capacities, Dent would go on to serve as president for 10 years, in addition to his years of work as the company's COO. "For well over half my life I have worked at Buffalo Rock. The people I work with here are family, and I could not be prouder to lead such a talented, driven and committed group," Dent said. "I am honored to be named CEO and I am committed to continue leading with passion and integrity, working every day toward creating circular success for both the company and the individual employee-partners." Have a news tip or suggestion on how I can improve Tuscaloosa Patch? Maybe you're interested in having your business become one of the latest sponsors for Tuscaloosa Patch? Email all inquiries to me at [email protected].