ENGLEWOOD CLIFFS, N.J. — Unilever U.S. announced Friday that Terry Thomas is the executive vice president of customer development, effective immediately. Thomas succeeds Gina Boswell, who will be retiring after eight successful years at the company.

Thomas joined Unilever more than six years ago, leading the East Grocery accounts as well as the Dollar/Value, Emerging & Military Channels. In 2018, Thomas took over leadership for the Unilever U.S. Grocery business as well as the Natural and Direct Store Delivery Channels, accounting for nearly 50% of the U.S. business.

Thomas has a proven track record of delivering results while driving greater operational discipline and efficiency. As a member of the Unilever diversity and inclusion board, he also plays a significant role in advancing the Unilever U.S. diversity agenda.

Boswell’s legacy at Unilever includes many “firsts” such as gaining U.S. hair care share leadership in U.S. for the first time, establishing a true beauty and personal care culture with unique media partnerships, having the foresight to create the company’s first e-commerce/digital organization, and being instrumental in a number of founder-based acquisitions.

Well-respected for her first-class brand- building, management and leadership skills, she held various positions during her time at Unilever including executive vice president, Personal Care Unilever North America and executive vice president and chairman for Unilever U.K. and Ireland. Boswell joined Unilever via the company’s acquisition of Alberto Culver, where as a named executive officer, she was global brand president responsible for the rapid growth of TRESemmé and Nexxus, among other brands.