Cedar Packaging Group has announced the appointment of Bart Wiley as CEO North America, with immediate effect.
Wiley will be responsible for growing Cedar Packaging Group’s luxury packaging business across the US, Canada and Central America. He will focus on expanding the business in the sports category, where Cedar is renowned for high-quality presentation, video, membership, product and celebratory packaging for sports associations, professional sports teams and worldwide sporting events.
In addition, Wiley and the US-based group will build on Cedar Packaging Group’s UK success in delivering bespoke, brand-enhancing solutions for luxury food and drinks brands, and fan-engaging solutions for the music and entertainment industries.
“We are thrilled that Bart, a seasoned, thoughtful and successful sports executive, is joining our Cedar team,” said Chris Burton, global CEO of the Cedar Packaging Group. “When talking through what we were seeking for this role, Bart ticked all the boxes. His passion for fan engagement, driving business, operating a team and delivering sustainable growth are all things we’re passionate about. Bart’s track record speaks for itself and we can’t wait to work with him.”
Wiley joins Cedar from Major League Soccer’s Seattle Sounders, where he served as chief operating officer for the past six seasons. Hired as the director of communications of the minor-league Sounders in 2002, Wiley held numerous roles throughout the organisation, ultimately running business operations for the MLS version of the club.
During Wiley’s tenure, the Sounders continually set MLS attendance records and garnered worldwide attention for the launch and execution of the team’s positive business practices. Wiley won numerous awards for his leadership of the team and travelled around the globe speaking about the success of the expansion club.
“The Cedar Packaging Group has a vision for expanding an already strong global footprint, and I’m excited to join the group to help drive business in North America,” said Wiley. “I was impressed by Cedar’s global leadership team and by the long-term plans for this family company. I’m honoured to join the Cedar team and to work with the group now assembled in the United States.”
Born in New Jersey, Wiley grew up in Atlanta, Georgia, before relocating to Seattle, Washington. He has been a publicist for a Major League Baseball player, has run business operations for a NASCAR team, and was among the early business development professionals in the dot-com era. He will be based at Cedar Packaging Group’s Seattle office, with an eye towards expanding that office in coming years.
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