2024 Grocery Industry Icons & Innovators

Antonio Escalona is SVP of Emerging Business for PepsiCo Foods North America. Overseeing the Hispanic Business Unit, Distributors, Hard Discounters, Dollar, Drug, Military and Natural Channels, he is responsible for accelerating growth in emerging channels and strategic intiatives. As part of his mission, Antonio also seeks to contribute to strengthen PepsiCo’s reputation as an employer and community member with multicultural audiences through a purpose-driven agenda.

Prior to his current role, Antonio was most recently SVP/GM of the Hispanic Business Unit for PepsiCo Foods North America which was incorporated into newly created Emerging Business segment. Antonio will continue to be responsible for driving accelerated growth and delighting consumers with an end-to-end focus from supply chain to innovation, marketing and sales of brands such as Gamesa and Sabritas which are loved by Hispanic consumers.

Antonio joined PepsiCo 29 years ago in the Finance function at their Global HQ in Purchase, NY and has since held multiple roles, including General Manager in Venezuela and previously in South Andean business unit (Peru, Ecuador and Bolivia), CFO for the Andean business unit, Sr. Director Planning for Latin America Foods, Sr. Director of Corporate Treasury for Asia Pacific, Sr. Associate of Corporate Strategy & Development, and SVP Sales for PepsiCo Mexico Foods. As a result, he has been able to leverage his deep financial, strategic, commercial and general management knowledge as well as his vast international exposure throughout his career.

Antonio started his career as a Finance Analyst at Centrobeco in Venezuela later joining Ernst & Young where he was a Senior Consultant. He was born in Barquisimeto, Venezuela. He holds a Bachelor in Accounting from the UCAB in Venezuela, an MBA from the University of Connecticut and an Advanced Management Program certificate from The Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania. Antonio is married to Irene and together they have 3 children. He is a member of YPO (Young Presidents Organization) since 2011, a co-founder and co-producer of Guataca Nights Mexico City (a music platform to support young talent), and a Board Member of the After-School All Stars North Texas non-profit organization.