# Donald M. Kendall

> Donald M. Kendall (1921-2020) was the American sales executive who led Pepsi-Cola, co-founded PepsiCo through its 1965 merger with Frito-Lay, and served as the combined company’s CEO until 1986. His pursuit of Soviet trade, close relationship with Richard Nixon, and creation of the sculpture gardens at PepsiCo’s Purchase headquarters make his career a story of commerce, political access, and corporate culture.

- **Role:** Business executive and PepsiCo co-founder
- **Organizations:** Pepsi-Cola, PepsiCo, U.S.-USSR Trade and Economic Council, National Alliance of Businessmen, U.S. Chamber of Commerce, American Ballet Theatre Foundation, Richard Nixon Foundation
- **From:** Sequim, United States
- **Nationality:** American
- **Education:** Western Kentucky State College (now Western Kentucky University)
- **Known for:** Co-created PepsiCo through the 1965 merger of Pepsi-Cola and Frito-Lay., Led the negotiations that brought Pepsi production to the Soviet Union., Championed the Donald M. Kendall Sculpture Gardens at PepsiCo’s headquarters.

## Career timeline

- **1942** — Joined the U.S. Navy; served as a naval aviator in the Pacific during World War II.
- **1947** — Joined Pepsi-Cola; worked in bottling and sales before moving into management.
- **1957** — Became president of Pepsi-Cola International.
- **1959** — Served Pepsi to Nikita Khrushchev at the American National Exhibition in Moscow.
- **1963** — Became president and CEO of Pepsi-Cola.
- **1965** — Co-founded PepsiCo with Herman Lay through the Pepsi-Cola and Frito-Lay merger; became president and CEO.
- **1969** — Appointed chairman of the National Alliance of Businessmen.
- **1970** — PepsiCo opened its headquarters in Purchase, New York, with the sculpture collection Kendall championed.
- **1972** — Reached an agreement for Soviet Pepsi production tied to U.S. distribution of Soviet alcoholic beverages.
- **1973-1977** — Served as the first U.S. co-chairman of the U.S.-USSR Trade and Economic Council.
- **1974** — The first Soviet Pepsi bottling plant opened in Novorossiysk.
- **1981-1982** — Chaired the board of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.
- **1986** — Retired as PepsiCo chairman and CEO; continued chairing the board’s executive committee until 1991.
- **2020** — Died at home in Greenwich on September 19, aged 99.

## Achievements

- Co-created PepsiCo through the 1965 merger of Pepsi-Cola and Frito-Lay.
- Led the negotiations that brought Pepsi production to the Soviet Union.
- Championed the Donald M. Kendall Sculpture Gardens at PepsiCo’s headquarters.
- Served as the first U.S. co-chairman of the U.S.-USSR Trade and Economic Council.
- Received the Distinguished Flying Cross and Air Medals for naval service.

## Latest updates

- **2020-09** — His family announced his death on September 19, aged 99; PepsiCo issued a tribute on September 20.
- **2026-03** — Legacy update: PepsiCo lists March 29 as the start of the gardens’ 2026 public visiting season.

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/donald-m-kendall
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-10-15