Burger King Names Durham President, North America

Burger King Corporation announced August 3 that, effective immediately, Mikel Durham has been appointed as president of the company's North American business.

In her new position, Durham will have general management responsibility for all aspects of Burger King's business in North America. She will report directly to Colin Storm, chief executive officer and will relocate to Miami as part of her new role.

"Mikel's combination of experience with consumer brands and focus on strategic growth is the right blend of skills the Burger King North America needs to enhance the value of Burger King," said Colin Storm, chief executive officer. "Having worked with Mikel, I know that Burger King will benefit from her abilities."

Durham joins Burger King from sister company Guinness, where she served as global strategy director, and later was given additional responsibility heading a team that managed Guinness' portfolio of 75 venture markets. She was also a key player in the Transforming Guinness program, which changed the culture at Guinness to focus on fewer, bigger ideas and become more supportive of the field operations.

Prior to joining Guinness, Durham held several positions with PepsiCo and later Tricon Global Restaurants over a four-year period. Her final assignment with Tricon was as vice president and general manager of international restaurants for Southern Europe and Northern Africa. Earlier in her career, she held posts with Jim Thompson Thai Silk Company and Bain & Company, where she played a key role in their offices in the former Soviet Union.

Durham, a citizen of the United States, graduated from Smith College in 1985 with a BA in Economics. She also holds an MBA in Business Administration from Harvard University Business School.