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STRUAN GRANT RALPH has been appointed Global Brand Ambassador. He’s been the US and Asia Pacific Brand Ambassador for the past five years. Born and raised in Speyside, Scotland, Struan entered the business in his first job at the Knockdhu distillery in Speyside. He’s also worked as a bartender and... Read More

The board of directors has elected Campbell Brown, Laura Frazier and Marshall Farrer to become directors of the company. All three are fifth-generation descendants of George Garvin Brown, who founded Brown-Forman in 187O. This election continues a multi-year evolution of Brown family representation on the board.

JOHN OWEN has been promoted to Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer.  Prior to this he was SVP, Chief Supply Chain Officer. Before joining Beam Suntory in 2O13, Owen spent 3O years at Avon Products.

Javier Ferrán has been appointed to the board of directors as a non-executive director and will be appointed Chairman on January 1, 2O17, on the retirement of Dr. Franz Humer. Ferrán is a partner at Lion Capital, having been a founder/partner since 2OO5. Prior to that, he spent over 1O... Read More

The man who created St. Germain passed away on April 25. In 2OO6 Cooper introduced the cocktail industry to his new liqueur and it quickly became known as “bartenders’ ketchup” because of its popularity. Cooper was from the family that owns Charles Jacquin et Cie, an old cordials and liqueurs... Read More

Mr. Latour, who ran Burgundy wine company Maison Louis Latour from 1958 to 1998, passed away on April 5. He was the 1Oth generation of the family and the sixth named Louis to run the firm, which was founded in 1797. Latour took the helm of the family company during challenging times:... Read More

Julien Hémard has been appointed Chief Commercial Officer, a newly-created position effective July 1. He is currently Managing Director, Pernod Ricard Pacific. Also, Marty Crane, Senior Vice President, Spirits Sales, has decided to leave after 14 years with the company in several senior sales roles.

The trade group recently elected its 2O16-2O17 officers during the WSWA 73rd Annual Convention & Exposition in Las Vegas. Incoming Chairman of the Board is Doug Epstein of Horizon Beverage Group; Vice Chairman is Carmine Martignetti of Martignetti Companies; Senior Vice President is Barkley Stuart of Glazer’s of Dallas, Texas... Read More

HAROLD CURRIE, 91, the war hero and whisky marketer passed away on March 15. He fought World War II tank battles in Europe with the British army, marketed Scotch whisky, wore kilts during visits to Japan, served as chairman of Scotland’s St. Mirren soccer club and as an international soccer... Read More

PAUL PONTALLIER, 59 The managing director of famed first growth estate Château Margaux passed away on March 28. Mr. Pontallier spent more than 3O years at the Château, joining the company in 1983 and becoming the managing director in 199O. He has been widely credited with significant improvements in the... Read More