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September 29, 2006

Anheuser-Busch Announces Key Personnel Moves

Anheuser-Busch Announces Key Personnel Moves

Anheuser-Busch Cos. Inc. today announced changes in the corporation's management.

Joseph P. Sellinger, 60, and James F. Hoffmeister, 62, have announced they will retire from the company, effective Nov. 30. Sellinger has been with the company for 35 years, most recently leading its packaging subsidiary. Hoffmeister has spent 39 years with Anheuser-Busch, most recently leading the procurement, agricultural and transportation operations.

Sellinger and Hoffmeister serve on the company's strategy committee, which is comprised of the company's 18 most-senior corporate officers who are responsible for setting the company's direction and objectives.

Before leading the packaging subsidiary, Sellinger was leader of the company's brewery operations for 12 years, including serving as vice president of operations from 1992 to 2000.

"Joe has done an exemplary job of helping to manage and enhance the company's production capabilities over the years," said Patrick Stokes, president and chief executive officer of Anheuser Busch Cos. Inc. "He has brought insights to our packaging business and overseen the successful start-up of two of our breweries during his time with the company. His manufacturing and labor management expertise have been a great contribution to Anheuser-Busch."

Hoffmeister has held a variety of positions with the company over the years including the Anheuser-Busch Inc. president's office, planning, finance, marketing, research and wholesaler development. He also managed the company's Clydesdales operations, Grant's Farm and brewery tours for 17 years.

"Jim has made his mark on the company over many years of outstanding service in different leadership roles," said August A. Busch IV, president of Anheuser-Busch Inc. "He has contributed in key areas of the business, serving as an adviser to both the company's wholesalers and its executives. His support of our Clydesdales, Grant's Farm and our brewery tours has helped make them the memorable icons that people in St. Louis and around the country have come to identify with our company. Jim has been a great asset to this company, and we are grateful for all of his contributions."

Hoffmeister's procurement and agricultural responsibilities will move to David A. Peacock, 38, vice president of business operations for Anheuser-Busch Inc., who handles planning, new business agreements, finance and wholesaler services for the U.S. subsidiary. Peacock reports to Busch IV and will succeed Hoffmeister on the corporation's strategy committee. Peacock will also assume responsibility for the corporation's information technology group.

"Dave has been instrumental in developing our new alliances this year and in bringing collaborative, imaginative solutions to brewer/wholesaler business matters," said Busch IV. "Through his broad experience in business and marketing, and his work over the years with the wholesaler panel, he has earned the respect and admiration of the entire wholesaler family."

Previously, Peacock held positions in corporate planning, brand management, corporate media and retail sales promotion.

Peacock, who began working for the company in 1992, was born and raised in the St. Louis area. He received his bachelor's degree in journalism from Kansas University and his master's in business administration from Washington University.

Succeeding Sellinger as chief executive officer and president of the packaging subsidiary will be Michael S. Harding, 55, who is currently vice president of U.S. brewery operations. The packaging subsidiary will move under Douglas J. Muhleman, group vice president of brewing operations and technology for the company's U.S. and international breweries.

The move more closely aligns the objectives of the packaging group with its primary customer, Anheuser-Busch Inc. Muhleman, who is on the strategy committee and reports to Busch IV, becomes chairman of the packaging subsidiary. Harding will join the corporation's strategy committee and in his new role will continue to report to Muhleman.

Born and raised in St. Louis, Harding began working for the company in 1973 as a production management trainee at the St. Louis brewery and has held multiple plant management positions over the years in Houston, Newark, Los Angeles and Jacksonville. He has a master's degree in business administration from Pepperdine University and a bachelor's degree from Central Missouri State University.

"Mike brings to his new position an in-depth knowledge of our manufacturing operations," said Busch IV. "His vast expertise in logistics management and production will enable him to seamlessly move into this new role. Above all, Mike is a perfectionist who upholds the Anheuser Busch standard of excellence in everything he does."

Muhleman also will gain responsibility for the logistics functions of the company, currently managed under Hoffmeister.

Robert C. Lachky, who has served as executive vice president of global industry development since August 2005, has also been named to the Anheuser-Busch Cos. strategy committee.

Before his current position, Bob served as vice president of brand management and director of global brand creative, helping the company win numerous awards for its popular and innovative advertising campaigns. He earlier held various brand management positions for the company. He joined Anheuser-Busch in 1989 after a career at DDB Needham Worldwide advertising agency. Bob holds both a master's degree and a bachelor's degree in communications from the University of Illinois at Champaign.

Gary R. Welker, vice president of distribution systems and services, who is responsible for logistics, will also be retiring. Promoted to succeed Welker is Timothy E. Armstrong, who will become vice president of transportation and logistics. Armstrong will report to Muhleman. Succeeding Harding as vice president of operations will be Peter J. Kraemer, reporting to Muhleman.

Based in St. Louis, Anheuser Busch is the leading American brewer, holding a 48.8 percent share of U.S. beer sales. The company brews the world's largest-selling beers, Budweiser and Bud Light. Anheuser Busch also owns a 50 percent share in Grupo Modelo, Mexico's leading brewer, and a 27 percent share in Tsingtao, the No. 1 brewer in China. Anheuser-Busch ranked No. 1 among beverage companies in FORTUNE Magazine's Most Admired U.S. and Global Companies lists in 2006. Anheuser Busch is one of the largest theme park operators in the United States, is a major manufacturer of aluminum cans and is America's top recycler of aluminum cans. For more information, visit www.anheuser-busch.com.

The Michelob Specialty Sampler Collection will be sold in grocery and convenience stores across the country through early November in 12- and 20-packs. The 20-pack includes four bottles of each style, while the 12-pack includes the Michelob Marzen, Michelob Pale Ale, Michelob Porter and Michelob Bavarian-Style Wheat.

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