Murray S. Kessler

Murray S. Kessler is an American business executive with more than 35 years of leadership experience across the consumer goods, tobacco, and healthcare industries. He has served as president, chairman of the board, and chief executive officer of three Fortune 500 companies: UST Inc., Lorillard, Inc., and Perrigo Company plc. He also served as the 14th president of the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF), the national governing body for equestrian sports in the United States, from January 2017 to January 2021.

Early life and education Kessler received a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Villanova University and a Master of Business Administration in marketing and finance from the New York University Stern School of Business.

Career

Early career Kessler began his career in consumer packaged goods, accumulating more than 18 years of experience across several well-known companies. He held roles at Campbell Soup Company (NYSE: CPB) and Clorox (NYSE: CLX). Specifically, he served as vice president of sales and marketing of Pace Foods, a division of Campbell Soup, from September 1995 to October 1997, and as general manager of the Swanson Division of Campbell Soup from October 1997 to March 1998.

UST Inc. / Altria Kessler joined UST Inc. in April 2000 as President of the U.S. Smokeless Tobacco Company. He subsequently served as president and chief operating officer from November 2005 to December 2006, and as president and chief executive officer from January 2007 to 2009. He additionally served as chairman of UST from 2008 to 2009. He was appointed chairman of the board effective January 1, 2011.

Perrigo Company plc On October 8, 2018, Kessler was appointed president, chief executive officer, and member of the board of directors of Perrigo Company plc (NYSE: PRGO), a leading global provider of over-the-counter consumer self-care products.

On May 9, 2023, Kessler announced his intention to retire as president and CEO, with an effective date of July 31, 2023, after nearly five years leading the company. He officially took office at the USEF Annual Meeting in January 2017. The position was an unpaid volunteer role. During his tenure, Kessler oversaw significant organizational changes including membership growth from approximately 82,000 to more than 100,000 members, the implementation of Safe Sport compliance programs, the relocation of USEF headquarters, and an improved performance by U.S. teams in international competition. In January 2020, Kessler announced he would not seek a second term, citing his concurrent professional commitments as CEO of Perrigo.

In March 2026, Wellington International announced the termination of Kessler from his roles at the organization following an internal investigation. Kessler denied the allegations underlying the investigation. His attorney stated: "Murray Kessler strongly denies the allegations against him and will vigorously defend his name and reputation."

Personal life Kessler has been an active equestrian competitor for more than four decades, competing in the hunter/jumper disciplines at the national level. His daughter, Reed Kessler, represented the United States as a show jumper at the 2012 London Olympic Games, becoming the youngest equestrian to compete at that edition of the Games. Kessler married Sarah Kessler in 2019.