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SIMON THORPE has been appointed as the brewing company’s new Chief Executive Officer.  Thorpe was previously Duvel Moortgat USA President/CEO, where he was instrumental in building the success of the company’s Brewery Ommegang in Upstate New York, and established partnerships with Boulevard Brewing Company and Firestone Walker Brewing Company.  He... Read More

ELIZABETH WISE has been named Vice President, Government Relations.  She spent the past eight years with Diageo as director of government relations.  While at Diageo Wise was responsible for the company’s extensive tax portfolio and also advocated for the social responsibility agenda.  She also conceptualized and launched the Diageo House... Read More

K.C.KAVANAGH has been appointed Senior Vice President and Global Chief Communications Officer.  In this role she will work to develop strategic internal and external corporate communications to support the company’s efforts to drive growth globally.  Kavanagh will also collaborate with the brand marketing teams to develop integrated public relations campaigns,... Read More

MICHELE FAMIGLIETTI has been promoted to Senior Vice President of Member Relations and KELLY PIKE POULSEN has been appointed Vice President of Federal Government Relations.  Famiglietti will assume primary responsibility for member recruitment and services, advocacy and management of the association’s events.  Poulsen was most recently Vice President of Government... Read More

CHRISTINE PERICH has resigned as CEO.  Perich assumed the position a year ago, taking over for brewery co-founder KIM JORDAN who had transitioned to Executive Chair of the Board of Directors.  Earlier this year Perich oversaw the opening of a second brewing facility in Asheville, North Carolina.

PHILIPPE BASCAULES has been named Managing Director.  Currently Managing Director of Francis Ford Coppola’s Inglenook estate in California, he will take up this new role in Bordeaux on March.  Bascaules was the Technical Director at Chateau Margaux from 199O to 2O11.  He will also remain the Director at Inglenook; continuing... Read More

Chief Executive DAVID FROST is leaving the organization to take up a new role as foreign affairs special adviser to the UK Foreign Secretary.  SWA deputy Chief Executive JULIE HESKETH-LAIRD will be acting CEO for the interim period before the appointment of a new CEO.

JENNIFER SUTHERLAND has been appointed to the newly-created role of Market Manager.  Working with distributors, she will manage statewide volume and distribution goals, and all aspects of on-and off-premise account merchandising and promotion.  Prior to joining the Brockmans team, Sutherland served as Sales and Account Manager for Berkshire Mountain Distillers. ... Read More

MARGRIT BIEVER MONDAVI, 91 The widow of California wine pioneer Robert G. Mondavi passed away on September 2. The Swiss-born Mondavi joined Robert Mondavi Winery in 1967, a year after it was founded. The Mondavis were among pioneering Napa Valley producers who helped turn the agricultural area northeast of San... Read More

STEVE MILLAR has joined the team as its newest Brand Ambassador. Millar’s responsibilities include sharing the story of Norman ‘Sailor Jerry’ Collins and the rum that bears his name though events, programs and partnerships on the East Coast. He has worked in the food and spirits business for over seven... Read More