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CEOs & Business Leaders
GOVERNMENT
George Latimer
County Executive
Westchester County
George Latimer’s status as a native Westchesterite certainly pays dividends when it comes to successfully navigating his high- stress, multifaceted job as county executive. “Each day, when I walk through the doors of the Michaelian Office Building, I am reminded of the many tasks at hand,” says Latimer, who after a succesful marketing career made the leap to public service. From his start on the Rye City Council, in 1987, to what is now his second term as county exec, Latimer has had an es- sential role in moving Westchester forward — even during the darkest of times. “I know we have made much progress over the years. Our county population hit over one million people; we’ve made significant infrastructure improve- ments to county parks and facilities, like Sprain Ridge Pool, the Miller House, and Playland; we’ve signed landmark legislation to combat hate crimes, help workers and women, protect members of the LGBTQ community, and create a language access program; and we created a memorial site for first responders that will be visited by generations to come. But I also know that our work here is not yet done.” Widely regarded for his bipartisanship, Latimer has worked with politicians from both sides of the aisle on groundbreaking legislation. He con- tinues to lead Westchester into a new era of rebuilding, growth, and working toward the common goal of making life in Westchester bet- ter for all residents. —CC
FOR-PROFIT COMPANIES
Ramon Laguarta
CEO
PepsiCo
Ramon Laguarta is a change-maker. A Barcelona native, Laguarta is a 25- year veteran of PepsiCo and was named CEO in 2018 and chairman of the board a year later. As CEO of PepsiCo, Laguarta has helped the com- pany generate $79 billion in new revenue in 2021 alone and has pivoted PepsiCo toward building more sustainable food systems and mitigating the impacts of climate change with his Beyond the Bottle strategy, which focuses on developing sustainable packaging and practices.
Prior to his appointment as CEO, Laguarta served as president of PepsiCo and as CEO of a company sector formerly known as Europe Sub- Saharan Africa (ESSA). Laguarta also fills his schedule as a board member and director of Visa Inc. and serves as the co-chair of the World Economic Forum’s board of stewards for its Food Systems Initiative. —PA
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TOP TO BOTTOM: PHOTO BY KEN GABRIELSEN; COURTESY OF PEPSICO