People to Watch in International Business

By Coco Masters, Jim Frederick, Dody Tsiantar

Andrew Thomas INNOVATOR

Massachusetts native Andrew Thomas, 37, is relocating to New York in September as the first American CEO of Heineken U.S.A. Although he won't pick between the Bosox and the Yankees, the 10-year Heineken veteran knows the value of "acting locally" as head of the largest importer of European brew to the U.S. "Local insights are critical, and a willingness for innovation," he says. His biggest challenges: maintaining prices despite the sliding dollar--and launching new products, such as a light beer planned for June. Now that's something Americans can raise their glasses to. --By Coco Masters

Fumiko Hayashi

SAVVY SALESWOMAN

Whether you are selling sports cars or produce, it all comes down to service, according to Fumiko Hayashi, 58. "The key is listening to your customers," says the master marketer, who honed her retailing philosophy over nearly three decades at Honda and as president of BMW Tokyo. The new chairman and CEO of Daiei, one of Japan's largest department-store and supermarket chains, will need all that sales savvy to reverse the ailing giant's fortunes. Hayashi must prove she has the same touch in the rag trade that she had selling ragtops. --By Jim Frederick

Andrea Ragnetti MARKETING GURU

The new CEO of the $2.7 billion domestic-appliances and personal-care unit of Royal Philips Electronics wants more Americans to know that the Dutch giant owns such brands as Norelco (shavers), Sonicare (toothbrushes) and Senseo (coffee makers). "Branding is a priority for this company," says the Italian-born Andrea Ragnetti, 45, who also serves as Philips' first marketing officer ever and has worked in marketing for Telecom Italia and Procter & Gamble. His experience will come in handy. At the top of his agenda: a $13 million ad campaign in the U.S. --By Dody Tsiantar