In a leadership reorganization, Noah Lapine, president of distributor Lapine Associates (PPAI 101116, D6) and a PPAI board member, has been elevated to CEO, Americas, of UK-based parent company adm Group.

New Roles

Lapine joined adm Group last May when, backed by private equity, it acquired his longtime family-owned Stamford, Connecticut-based firm Lapine Group and it sister company, Miami-based Effectus.

  • Lapine has been with the 58-year-old company since 1996 and has been involved in all phases of its development.
  • He co-founded Effectus Partners, which architects and implements process efficiencies and solutions for major corporations, in 2017 and was elected to the PPAI Board of Directors in 2020 for a term expiring in 2025.

Justin Barton, current global CEO of adm Group, a global supply chain solutions provider, has been appointed executive chairman of the organization. He has led adm Group since 2014.

  • As CEO, Barton oversaw a significant expansion of the business, as well as a reshaping of the investor base, with Equistone Partners Europe becoming a major shareholder.
  • In his new role, Barton will focus on the growth strategy for the group and will continue to be based in London.

The company has named Ed Colflesh group CEO. Colflesh was previously CEO of the Americas and has overseen the growth of the region to become the largest part of the adm business.

  • Colflesh has held senior roles in the marketing and advertising services sector for more than 15 years.
  • Based in New York, Colflesh will lead the business globally and continue to focus on executing its growth strategy, delivering its sustainability and technology strategies and optimizing its global operations.

In Their Words

“I am extremely proud of everything adm has achieved in the last eight years,” says Barton. “The business has transformed during this time, experiencing incredible growth and broadening our global presence. I am thrilled that Ed will be taking over the reigns as global CEO. Ed has shown exceptional talent and drive, continuing to grow adm as an industry leader in the Americas. I know that he will bring this enthusiasm and ambition to the role of global CEO.

“I am also delighted that Noah Lapine will become CEO, Americas. Noah is an impressive leader and I have every confidence that he will be a great successor to Ed in this critical region.”


Colflesh says, “I am incredibly excited to be taking on the role of Group CEO. Our client-centric approach and trusted expertise along with our passion for innovation and sustainable solutions is what makes adm an industry leader and an amazing place to work. I am thrilled to join Justin as we continue to focus on exceptional client delivery and further successes.”

Lapine says, “I am honored to be a part of this amazing organization and take on a new role leading the Americas. I have been inspired by the talents of our team from day one. By focusing on our people and our clients, Justin Barton and Ed Colflesh have set the tone for what great leadership looks like.”