ST. PAUL, MINNESOTA, U.S. — Jean Briand has joined CHS Inc. as senior vice-president, Finance, for its global Ag Business operations, CHS announced on March 2.

Briand joins CHS from Nestle Waters North America where he has been chief financial officer of that $3 billion retail water business. Briand will focus on the strategic financial needs of the growing CHS global ag business.

"Jean will serve as a business partner to our global Ag Business operations, as well as our overall finance area, providing insightful focus that drives profitable growth and efficiency in the execution of our business plans," said Tim Skidmore, CHS executive vice-president and chief financial officer. "Jean's deep financial and leadership skills will be tremendous assets for CHS at this time of significant growth and change as we embrace new opportunities to help our farmer-owners and customers grow."

Briand will report to Skidmore with a focus on the CHS global agriculture operations led by Shirley Cunningham, executive vice-president and chief operating officer, Ag Business and Enterprise Strategy.

Including his most recent role with its waters business, Briand has spent nearly a decade with Nestle, previously serving as vice-president of finance and business effectiveness and technology on the Nestle Walmart business and as controller and business development director for Nestle Waters.

Prior to joining Nestle he held several financial positions with Pitney Bowes Inc. He earned a bachelor's degree in business administration from Bishop's University, Quebec, Canada, and a master's of business administration from New York University's Stern School of Business. He also is a certified public accountant and a certified managerial accountant.