Brown-Forman Announces President & CEO Lawson Whiting to Retire

Brown-Forman Announces President & CEO Lawson Whiting to Retire

Board Initiates Search Process for Successor; Company Reiterates Fiscal 2027 Outlook

Brown-Forman Corporation (NYSE: BFA, BFB) today announced Lawson Whiting has decided to retire from his role as President and Chief Executive Officer, effective upon the appointment of a successor. The Brown-Forman Board of Directors has initiated a search pursuant to its succession process that will consider internal and external candidates. The process will be led by the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee, which is chaired by Tracy Skeans. Whiting will remain available to serve in an advisory capacity for a period of time following the appointment of a successor to ensure business continuity and support a smooth handover.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260713971184/en/ After nearly 30 years with Brown-Forman, Lawson Whiting has decided to retire from his role as President and Chief Executive Officer, effective upon the appointment of a successor.

“On behalf of the Board and the Brown family, I want to thank Lawson for his nearly 30 years of dedication to Brown-Forman,” said Marshall B. Farrer, Chairman of Brown-Forman. “Lawson has been a steadfast steward of founder George Garvin Brown’s vision – leading this company through an era of macro challenges and change with a clear and consistent vision for building the most premium portfolio in the industry and ensuring there was ‘Nothing Better in the Market.’ Under Lawson’s leadership, Jack Daniel's extended its presence into new international markets and categories, Woodford Reserve grew into the world’s leading super-premium American whiskey, and our founding brand, Old Forester, tripled in volume and increased net sales six-fold over the last decade. Today, Brown-Forman’s portfolio is one of the most respected in the global spirits industry. The Board is deeply grateful for his leadership and his commitment to the people and brands of Brown-Forman.”