Takeya USA has appointed well-known sunglass executive John Sanchez as president and CEO. The hydration company announced the leadership change as part of its next phase of growth.
Sanchez brings over 25 years of consumer products experience to the Costa Mesa, California-based company, which designs and manufactures reusable food and beverage containers under the TAKEYA and ThermoFlask brands.
Extensive Background in Outdoor and Lifestyle Brands
Most recently, Sanchez served as vice president of global product strategy at Oakley, part of Essilor-Luxottica’s Sports Hub division. In that role, he focused on product innovation and aligned global strategies across diverse markets.
His career spans leadership positions across several outdoor and eyewear brands. Sanchez spent a decade at Costa Sunglasses as VP of global product strategy, where he worked on brand building within the Essilor-Luxottica portfolio. He also served as president of Zeal Optics from August 2012 to October 2014 and held the role of vice president of product development at Maui Jim Sunglasses.
He also worked at Bushnell Outdoor Products during his career.
Current CEO and Founder Moves to Executive Chairman Role
Sanchez succeeds founder John Lown, who will continue as executive chairman of the board in an advisory capacity. Lown said he believes Sanchez’s understanding of consumer behavior, product innovation, and global brand building is what Takeya needs moving forward.
“John comes to us with a deep understanding of consumer behavior, product innovation, and global brand building—making him uniquely qualified to lead Takeya as we enter our next chapter,” Lown said in a statement. “He is a proven leader with the infectious vision and executional excellence we need.”
As CEO, Sanchez will oversee all aspects of the U.S. business, including operations at the company’s engineering development office in Osaka, Japan, and distribution center in Ohio. His mandate includes building Takeya into a global food storage and drinkware brand focused on sustainability, culture, and design.
Founded in Japan in 1961 and established in the U.S. in 2008, Takeya makes insulated stainless steel beverage bottles, coffee mugs, food jars, and specialty products like its patented Flash Chill Iced Tea Maker and Cold Brew Coffee Makers.
“I admire Takeya’s long-standing, 65-year history and am honored to carry forward its commitment to enhancing everyday sustainable beverage experiences,” Sanchez said in a statement. “Takeya has built a formidable reputation for innovation and quality—values that resonate with today’s consumers. My immediate focus will be to build a high-performance team who are as excited as I am to usher this amazing brand into its next chapter. The future global Takeya team will be driven by those who are passionate about consumer needs, purposeful design and inspirational brand building to redefine the possibilities of the reusable food and beverage container market.”
