Ali Group Announces Leadership Appointments for Welbilt Americas
CHICAGO, August 24, 2026 — Ali Group today announced a series of leadership appointments at Welbilt Americas, effective September 1, 2026, designed to strengthen organizational alignment, accelerate growth initiatives and enhance customer engagement throughout the Americas.
As part of these changes, Rob August will assume the position of Chief Executive Officer, Welbilt Americas, reporting to Filippo Berti, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Ali Group. He will be responsible for operational performance, cross-brand coordination and delivering on Welbilt’s growth targets across the Americas. Working closely with the company’s leadership teams and portfolio of brands, August will strengthen customer engagement, drive innovation and ensure Welbilt remains well positioned to capitalize on future opportunities in the foodservice industry.
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.
“I have had the opportunity to work closely with Rob since he joined the Ali Group in 2006 and have great confidence in his ability to lead the organization,” said Filippo Berti, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Ali Group. “His deep industry experience, his execution-driven leadership and customer-focused approach make him the right leader to guide Welbilt Americas through its next chapter of growth and success.”
Supporting this leadership transition, Jim Courtright will assume the position of Executive Vice President, Welbilt Americas, reporting directly to Rob 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.
In addition, Leo Parot will assume the position of Senior Vice President, Strategic Accounts – McDonald’s, reporting to Jim 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.
“These appointments reflect our commitment to strengthening our leadership team, deepening customer engagement and ensuring Welbilt remains well positioned to capitalize on future opportunities,” said August. “Jim and Leo bring exceptional industry expertise, strong customer relationships and proven leadership that will help drive growth, strengthen customer partnerships and advance Welbilt’s long-term success throughout the Americas.”
About the Ali Group
Founded in 1963, the Ali Group is a global corporation headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, with its European corporate office located in Milan, Italy. Through its subsidiaries, the company designs, manufactures, markets and services a broad line of commercial and institutional foodservice equipment used by major restaurant and hotel chains, independent restaurants, hospitals, schools, airports, correctional institutions and canteens.
The Ali Group and its more than 115 global brands employ approximately 17,000 people in 30 countries and, in terms of sales, is the world’s largest group in the foodservice equipment industry. It has 80 manufacturing facilities in 16 countries and sales and service subsidiaries throughout Europe, the Middle East, Africa, North America, South America, and Asia Pacific.
For more information on Ali Group products and services, visit www.aligroup.com.
Media Contact
Ryan Blackman
Vice President, Marketing & Communications
Ali Group
(847) 215-5090
rblackman@aligroup.com
