New Orleans-based Reily Foods Co. has appointed William B. Reily IV president and CEO. The 117-year-old company was founded by Reily’s great-grandfather in 1902 and today manufactures and markets products like Luzianne Tea, French Market Coffee and Blue Plate Mayonnaise, as well as other brands like New England Coffee, Swans Down Cake Flour and Two Alarm and Carroll Shelby Texas Chili Kits. In addition to its line of heritage brands, Reily Foods manufactures a number of private label products for major wholesalers and retailers.
Reily began working summers in the factory at the age of 14. After earning a degree in history from Tulane University, he worked in Switzerland for Nestlé, the world’s largest food company. Reily returned to the U.S. and joined his family’s business, starting in route sales and working in marketing management, systems implementation, internal audit and brand acquisitions.
Reily then branched out into innovative new spaces to foster company growth in diversified businesses. One such venture was Fuelman, which ultimately grew to become a financial technology company that is now the newest company in the S&P 500.
Starting Abita Springs Water Co. in the early 90s, he grew the business into a super-regional bottled water brand. However, Hurricane Katrina decimated Abita’s production facility. Reily pivoted the company from a five-gallon home delivery service to Evamor, an all-natural alkaline artesian water.
“I have been ‘steeped’ in all aspects of this business since I was a child,” said Reily. “I can remember every lesson, pearl of wisdom and act of kindness expressed by my father and grandfather. I am very excited about the next 100 years of our company, and what it means for my sons and hopefully their children.”
After the death of his father, William Boatner Reily III, he became president and CEO of Wm. B Reily & Co. For the last three years, he has focused on real estate development in New Orleans. Reily turned the company’s previous factory and office on Magazine Street into The Kalorama, a condominium, apartment and retail space in the Warehouse Arts District.
