Kenny Thompson is the Vice President of External Affairs, North America, at PepsiCo, a leading global food and beverage manufacturer of diverse and beloved brands such as Quaker Oats, Tropicana, Gatorade, Lay’s and Pepsi-Cola. He develops and leads PepsiCo’s strategy for targeting, investing, cultivating, and maintaining partnerships with external stakeholders to support PepsiCo’s broader business goals. Working in conjunction with PepsiCo’s public policy experts across the globe, Thompson analyzes investment opportunities for programs, events, and initiatives that enhance PepsiCo’s involvement with community leaders, the public, government and regulatory authorities, shareholders and employees.
Prior to joining PepsiCo, Thompson was Director of Message Events for Vice President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. In this capacity he managed the Vice President’s public events and coordinated messaging strategy with members of the Obama Cabinet and Administration staff.
From 2010 -2012 Kenny served as Senior Advisor and Executive Secretary to United States Trade Representative Ron Kirk. In this role he was responsible for the long-term planning and day-to-day operations of the Ambassador’s office. Thompson also provided policy, political, communications, and legislative advice to Ambassador Kirk.
Thompson began his tenure in the Obama Administration as Special Assistant & Advance Lead for President Obama. As an Advance Lead, he oversaw the logistical coordination and execution of President Obama’s trips, both foreign and domestic. Prior to joining The White House staff, he spent two years on the Obama for America Campaign as a member of the National Advance Staff where he traveled to 41 states and over 100 cities during that time frame.
Before leaving his hometown of Austin, Texas, Thompson served as Policy Director for City Council Member Sheryl Cole of the Austin City Council. He holds a Masters in Business Administration from the McDonough School of Business at Georgetown University and Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Texas Christian University (TCU) where he lettered in baseball for the Horned Frogs.
Currently, Kenny serves on the board of directors of the Women’s Congressional Policy Institute, the Addran College of Liberal Arts at TCU, and is a member of the Chancellor’s Advisory Council.
