New President Selected to Head Miller Brewing

* Philip Morris Cos. hired John N. MacDonough away from beer industry leader Anheuser-Busch Inc. on Monday to become president of its Miller Brewing Co., the nation’s second biggest brewer.

MacDonough, who has been with Anheuser-Busch since 1977 and most recently was executive vice president of marketing in the international division, also was named chief operating officer at Milwaukee-based Miller.

In the statement, MacDonough, 48, called the new job “a unique assignment” and said he had “the greatest respect for my new colleagues at Miller and look forward to beginning immediately.”

St. Louis-based Anheuser-Busch issued a terse statement from John Purnell, chairman and chief executive of its international division:

“Anheuser-Busch’s executive turnover is very low,” Purnell said. “We view this impressive promotion as a compliment to Anheuser-Busch’s system and to our depth in quality personnel.”

MacDonough’s path to Miller’s boardroom was opened by the previously announced plans of Leonard Goldstein, 65, to retire as chairman of Miller Brewing.

Warren Dunn, who has been president and chief executive at Miller, is taking on the chairman’s title while dropping the job of president.