Exhibit 99
[ANHEUSER-BUSCH COMPANIES LOGO] NEWS
For more information, contact:
Terri Vogt (314) 577-7750
Kelli Powers (314) 577-9618
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
AUGUST A. BUSCH IV NAMED PRESIDENT
AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER OF ANHEUSER-BUSCH COS. INC.
ST. LOUIS (Sept. 27, 2006) - The board of directors of
Anheuser-Busch Cos. Inc. elected August A. Busch IV to the board of
directors effective today and named him president and chief executive
officer of the corporation effective Dec. 1, 2006, it was announced today.
"The board of directors diligently executes its charge to evaluate
and determine the executives to lead Anheuser-Busch as part of its
succession planning responsibilities," said lead director, Edward E.
Whitacre, speaking on behalf of the company's board of directors. "After
careful consideration, we selected August Busch IV as the individual most
qualified to assume that role. We believe that the company, its employees
and its shareholders will be well-served by his leadership."
Busch IV succeeds Patrick Stokes, 64, who has held the corporate
president and CEO positions since July 2002.
Stokes has been named chairman of the board, effective Dec. 1,
2006, succeeding August A. Busch III. Stokes and Busch III will both retire
from their executive functions at the company on Nov. 30, 2006. Busch III
will continue to serve on Anheuser-Busch's board.
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August A. Busch IV Named President & CEO
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"Anheuser-Busch is ready for the next generation of leadership,"
said Busch III. "August IV has successfully prepared himself by leading the
U.S. beer company through a period of great change and challenge. He brings
with him the new thinking of his generation, yet appreciation for the great
traditions and values of this company."
"August IV follows a man of leadership and conviction in Pat
Stokes," said Busch III. "We are grateful for Pat's vision, stewardship and
his countless contributions to this company over his 37-year career. We have
worked side-by-side for many of those years, and I have the greatest respect
and admiration for all Pat has given Anheuser-Busch. He leaves a tremendous
legacy."
"It has been a great privilege to lead Anheuser-Busch for many
years and to be an active chairman of the board," said Busch III. "This is a
dynamic, engaging business, and this company is like no other. For me, this
has never been just a job, it has been my passion. I've taken great pleasure
in working with people of character, creativity and commitment and who have
become my second family. Above all, it is the men and women with whom I have
worked that I will miss most."
Stokes said: "I have been fortunate to work with a great team of
people during my 37 years with Anheuser-Busch. I have worked directly with
August Busch III for more than 30 years and have learned from him and
appreciated his support."
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August A. Busch IV Named President & CEO
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"As president of the domestic beer company from 1990 to 2002, I
formed valued associations with wholesalers across the country," Stokes
said. "As chief executive officer, I have had the privilege of leading our
company and working with our international partners around the world. I have
every confidence in August Busch IV's ability to build on the success of the
company and I look forward to serving our shareholders as chairman of the
board of directors."
Busch IV, 42, has led the U.S. beer company since July 2002. He has
been with the company for 21 years, beginning as an apprentice brewer in
1985 where he was a member of Brewers & Maltsters Local 6.
Busch IV has held a variety of positions in management, brewing,
operations and marketing. He was named group vice president of marketing and
wholesale operations in 2000, vice president of marketing in 1996 and vice
president of brand management in 1994. He holds a master's degree in
business administration from St. Louis University, a brewmaster's degree
from the International Brewing Institute in Berlin and graduated magna cum
laude with a bachelor's degree in finance from St. Louis University. He
holds an honorary doctorate of business administration from Webster
University. Busch IV serves on the board of FedEx Corp.
Busch IV is the fifth generation of Busch family members to lead
the company. His great-great grandfather was Adolphus Busch, who co-founded
the company. Adolphus Busch married Lilly, the daughter of Eberhard
Anheuser, who had purchased the brewery in 1860.
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August A. Busch IV Named President & CEO
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"I am proud to accept this challenge that carries a great deal of
personal meaning for me," said Busch IV. "My father and Pat leave behind a
legacy of unparalleled excellence. They have demanded the best of me and my
colleagues. Preparing myself for a leadership role in business has long been
my objective. I'm glad to have found that role in the company I love and
that my great-great grandfather founded. I am eager to set an agenda that
capitalizes on this company's history of success. But I will not do this
alone - I will have the most talented team in the industry working with me,
and together, we will accomplish great things."
Busch III also announced that John E. Jacob will retire as
executive vice president-global communications. Jacob, 71, will remain on
the Anheuser-Busch board of directors, on which he has served since 1990.
Jacob, the former head of the National Urban League, joined the company as
executive vice president and chief communications officer in 1994.
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.
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