UNITED STATES BARTENDER’S GUILD
ANDREW MELTZER of San Francisco has been named 2O16 Bartender of the Year. The global competition takes place in Miami this September. This fifth year of the competition drew thousands of applicants, and 75 finalists competed in the national competition in Washington, DC. The bartenders had to make eight cocktails... Read More
BACARDI LIMITED
STELLA DAVID has been elected as Director of the Board. Previously she was the CEO of William Grant & Sons from 2OO9 until February 2O16. From 1994 to 2OO9, David worked for Bacardi. During her 15-year tenure there, she held a variety of key positions, including Chief Executive Officer of... Read More
WILLIAM GRANT & SONS
The drinks company has named VANCE HENDERSON as its new US Brand Ambassador for Drambuie. He’ll be responsible for handling the brand’s marketing strategy to both the trade and consumers. He’ll also work with trade engagement and education through events and the creation of Drambuie cocktails. Most recently, he was... Read More
GLENFIDDICH
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
Brown-Forman
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.
BEAM SUNTORY
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.
DIAGEO
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
OBITUARY – Robert J Cooper, 39
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
OBITUARY – LOUIS LATOUR, 83
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
Pernod Ricard USA
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.