GURU Organic Energy Announces Leadership Transition

GURU Organic Energy Corp., Canada’s leading organic energy drink brand, has announced a leadership transition to support the company’s next phase of growth. Carl Goyette, who has been with the company for 12 years and served as President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) since 2020, will conclude his tenure in this role. Goyette’s contributions have been pivotal in shaping GURU’s foundation in Québec, enhancing retail execution in Canada and the U.S., and returning the company to positive trailing-twelve-month Adjusted EBITDA.

During the transition period, Tyler Ricks, Chairman of the Board, will serve as Executive Chair. Ricks brings extensive experience leading and scaling consumer packaged goods and beverage businesses, including roles at PepsiCo and Einstein Bros Bagels. “We are all very grateful for Carl’s leadership and contributions over the last 12 years, which enabled the early growth that led to GURU’s successful public listing and the record results announced today,” said Ricks. “Québec is the birthplace and headquarters of GURU and Canada remains the foundation of our business. With that foundation strengthened and significant potential ahead in the vast North American market and international opportunities, this is the right time for a leadership transition as the Company enters its next phase of growth.”

In addition to the leadership transition, GURU has also made internal changes. Patrick Charbonneau has been promoted to Chief Revenue Officer, with responsibility for all sales activities across the company. Charbonneau led the successful transition back to the company’s own distribution network in Canada and has been instrumental in accelerating its category leadership in the U.S. natural channel. “Patrick was thrown into the fire with the distribution change. He not only rose to the challenge, but in the process, he demonstrated he is an outstanding culture carrier for GURU,” said Ricks. Mr. Charbonneau will co-lead GURU’s operations with Ingy Sarraf, the company’s Chief Operating Officer (COO) and Chief Financial Officer (CFO), reporting directly to the Executive Chair.

Carl Goyette will continue to serve on GURU’s Board of Directors and remain a shareholder. He expressed immense pride in the accomplishments of the team during his tenure. “We rebuilt our business on our own terms, and I hand over the leadership of a company with record momentum, a strong balance sheet, and a brand with deep roots in Québec that Canadians have made part of their lives and which has made inroads in select U.S. markets,” said Goyette. “As a director and shareholder, I will continue to support the team as it builds on our strength and realizes GURU’s significant potential.”

GURU Organic Energy Corp. is a dynamic, fast-growing beverage company that launched the world’s first natural, plant-based energy drink in 1999. The company markets organic energy drinks in Canada and the United States through an estimated distribution network of about 25,000 points of sale and through its online platforms and Amazon. GURU has built a category-defining brand with a clean list of organic ingredients, including natural caffeine, and no artificial sweeteners, zero sucralose, and zero aspartame, which offer consumers Good Energy® that never comes at the expense of their health. The company remains committed to achieving its mission of cleaning up the energy drink industry in Canada and the United States.