Keep America Beautiful Inc. Names Matthew McKenna President

Keep America Beautiful, Inc., the nation’s largest community improvement network, is pleased to announce the appointment of Matthew McKenna to lead the organization effective January 1, 2008. McKenna currently serves as the Senior Vice President, Finance, at Purchase, N.Y.-based PepsiCo, Inc.

"Keep America Beautiful has an incredible 54-year legacy of building sustainable communities through education and hands-on stewardship," said McKenna. "I am inspired by the work of KAB’s millions of volunteers nationwide, and I look forward to advancing the organization's mission to engage individuals in taking greater responsibility for improving their community environments."

McKenna will continue the work of current president, G. Raymond Empson, who has led the organization since 1996, establishing many of KAB's current programs, and expanding the affiliate network to over 560 local grassroots organizations from coast to coast. Empson will retire from KAB effective January 1.

"It has truly been a pleasure to serve Keep America Beautiful's board of directors and affiliates, and to serve America's communities for these past 11 years," said Empson. "I am confident, and the board is confident, that Mr. McKenna will effectively lead our organization to even greater growth and success."

As president of Keep America Beautiful, Inc., McKenna will be responsible for the organization’s strategic planning and program development, and will oversee KAB’s financial stability and growth. At PepsiCo, Inc., his recent responsibilities have included leading the company’s capital planning and review process, and managing PepsiCo’s tax strategy, planning, and global compliance. He has previously served as the company’s Senior Vice President and Treasurer.

A graduate of Georgetown Law School, and an active director of Foot Locker, Inc., McKenna is an adjunct professor at Fordham University Law and Business School. He has served on the board of trustees for Hamilton College, and the board of Manhattan Theatre Club. He is actively involved in the Bronxville, N.Y. community, where he lives with his wife, Nancy, and four children.