Ali Group Updates Leadership Team for Welbilt Americas

Ali Group has announced a series of updates to its leadership team for Welbilt Americas, effective September 1. Details include the following:

Rob August will take the role of CEO, Welbilt Americas, reporting to Filippo Berti, chairman and CEO of Ali Group. He will be responsible for operational performance, cross-brand coordination and delivering on Welbilt’s growth targets across the Americas.

August has served as chief commercial officer of Ali Group and Welbilt Americas since 2025, where he has led the company’s commercial strategy while strengthening relationships with customers, channel partners and key industry stakeholders. Since joining Ali Group in 2006 as executive vice president of Champion Industries, he has held a variety of leadership positions and played an important role in advancing Welbilt’s growth initiatives and fostering collaboration across the company’s portfolio of brands.

Jim Courtright will assume the position of executive vice president, Welbilt Americas, reporting directly to August. In this expanded role, he will help drive strategic growth initiatives, operational excellence and greater collaboration among Welbilt’s operating companies and brands throughout the Americas, while continuing to build strong partnerships with customers, channel partners and key industry stakeholders.

Since joining Welbilt in 2022 as vice president of sales, Welbilt Americas, Courtright has been instrumental in driving growth, strengthening customer relationships and leading high-performing teams throughout the region. He has more than four decades of experience in the foodservice and beverage industries, including leadership positions with Hobart, PepsiCo, Enodis and Scotsman Ice.

Leo Parot will take the role of senior vice president, strategic accounts-McDonald’s, reporting to Courtright. In this role, he will continue to serve as a trusted partner to McDonald’s worldwide, working closely with Welbilt’s portfolio of brand teams to advance innovation, operational excellence and long-term growth opportunities.

Since joining Welbilt in 2013, Parot has held roles of increasing responsibility across the organization and has developed strong relationships throughout the McDonald’s system. Since 2019, he has worked directly with McDonald’s stakeholders around the world, helping align resources from Welbilt’s portfolio of brands to support the company’s evolving needs.

Earlier this month, Welbilt announced Jennifer Voitek has become vice president, strategic accounts–chains and general market.