Roger Anthony Enrico

Enrico, Roger Anthony, 71, revered former Chairman & CEO of PepsiCo and former Chairman of DreamWorks Animation, passed away on Wednesday, June 1, 2016 in Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands. Roger was born on November 11, 1944 in Chisholm, MN, the son of Anthony and Rose Marie Parucci Enrico. A graduate of Babson College’s Class of 1965, Roger earned a B.S. in Business Administration in three years and served as Supply Officer in the U.S. Navy during the Vietnam War, including being stationed in Vietnam in 1967 and 1968.

Following military service, Roger started a distinguished career in business at General Mills before being recruited to PepsiCo’s Frito-Lay division, the first step in a 32+ year journey with the company that involved management positions around the world and led him to the chairmanship of the corporation. Known as a visionary marketer and risk taker, Roger was the architect of market share gains by Pepsi-Cola that many view as the catalyst behind Coca-Cola’s dramatic reformulation of its flagship soft drink. He also transformed PepsiCo’s global Frito-Lay snack food businesses, engineering a turn-around at the company’s largest U.S. unit, and oversaw PepsiCo’s Worldwide Restaurants division, which included Pizza Hut, Taco Bell and Kentucky Fried Chicken. Later, as Chairman & CEO of PepsiCo, he re-conceptualized the business and separated snacks and beverages and spun off restaurants into what has become the successful stand-alone company YUM! Brands. Throughout his PepsiCo career, Roger was a dedicated champion of front line workers, including anonymously donating his salary as Chairman & CEO to fund scholarships for their children, built a diverse and inclusive workplace, and developed great leaders.

Following PepsiCo, Roger was courted out of retirement by DreamWorks Animation (DWA) CEO Jeffrey Katzenberg to chair the entertainment company through its initial public offering. His experienced and steady hand served DWA for eight years at a pivotal moment in the company's growth and evolution. During his tenure at DreamWorks, Roger was credited for his unique combination of creativity, tenacity, courage and compassion as the studio produced blockbuster hits including Shrek, Madagascar and Kung Fu Panda.

In addition to serving on numerous corporate boards during his career and the boards of the American Film Institute, the American Prairie Reserve, the Environmental Defense Fund, KERA, and the National Geographic Society, Roger was committed to his community. He supported countless civic and cultural organizations in multiple cities with his time and insight. He was an active but quiet philanthropist who was always eager and generous to help others. Not only a great citizen and businessman, Roger was a loyal friend to many.

Roger is survived by his childhood sweetheart and loving wife of 48 years, Rosemary Margo Enrico; their son Aaron and his wife Catherine, and their children, Daniel, Gisele and Joseph, all of Dallas. He is also survived by his brother, Richard Enrico of Minneapolis, MN, his sister, Sherry Enrico Amhaus of Brandon, FL, sister-in-law and brother-in-law Anna and Bob Louser of Issaquah, WA, and by many nieces and nephews to whom he served as a loyal and valued mentor. A lover of the arts, passionate about food and wine, an avid traveler and enthusiastic scuba diver, Roger and Rosemary enjoyed dividing time between their family and exploring the world.

A public celebration of Roger’s life will be held on Monday, June 13, 2016 at 10:00am at Christ the King Catholic Church, 8107 Preston Road, Dallas, TX.

The family has requested that in lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Roger’s memory to The Roger and Rosemary Enrico Foundation, which supports social services, outreach and education programs for the underprivileged, environmental conservancy and medical research. Contributions can be sent to The Roger and Rosemary Enrico Foundation, c/o Paragon Advisors, 20820 Chagrin Blvd., Suite 300, Shaker Heights, OH 44122. Please express condolences in the guestbook.

https://enricofoundation.givingfuel.com/enrico-foundation