Olin grad named CEO of Pizza Hut

Joe Dwyer wrote this for the Olin Blog.

Aaron Powell, BSBA ’93, was named global Pizza Hut Division Chief Executive Officer effective Sept. 20.

Pizza Hut is a division of Yum! Brands Inc., and Powell will report to Yum! Chief Executive Officer David Gibbs. Yum’s operations also include KFC and Taco Bell. In this new role with Yum!, Powell will assume global responsibility for driving the Pizza Hut division’s growth strategies, franchise operations and performance.

Kevin Hochman, president and chief concept officer, KFC US and interim president, Pizza Hut US, and Vipul Chawla, president of Pizza Hut International, will report to Powell.

During his time at Washington University, Powell was a captain of the football team. He said WashU football definitely played a role in his development as a leader.

“The chance to join an iconic, powerhouse global brand like Pizza Hut, combined with the backing of a world-class and culture-rich company like Yum! Brands, created an opportunity I knew I had to be a part of and simply couldn’t pass up,” said Powell. “I’m excited to work with Kevin and Vipul, and can’t wait to begin working alongside and building relationships with such a talented team of employees and franchisees around the world.”

Powell is former president of Kimberly-Clark Corp.’s Asia-Pacific Consumer Business, the company’s largest international region with operations in more than 30 countries, including China, India, Australia, Korea and the ASEAN member states.

Powell previously spent four years with management consulting firm Bain & Company, serving in its consumer practice. He also spent eight years in sales leadership and brand management roles at Procter & Gamble.

In addition to his business degree from Washington University, he has an MBA from the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania. He currently serves on the board of directors for Sherwin-Williams.