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ERIC RELLER has been named Director of State Government Communications. In this role, he will be responsible for providing communications support for the organization’s public policy, media relations and grassroots initiatives. He most recently served as Senior Media Manager for the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB), focusing on policy... Read More

WINE JOURNALIST/VINTNER Such a vibrant presence was Nancy Knowles Parker, that I was struck speechless when informed of her death on January 1O. Although 85-years-old, she, once a model and still a stylish, beautiful and actively productive woman, could have served as a model for the often overused adjective “vibrant”,... Read More

After a brief period as interim Chief Executive Officer, MIKE DOLAN has agreed to become the company’s permanent CEO. In addition, DMITRY IVANOV has been promoted to Chief Marketing Officer of Bacardí and President of Bacardi Global Brands. He will be responsible for the global marketing organization including brand equity,... Read More

The drinks company has added BILL NEWLANDS to its Executive Management Committee as Chief Growth Officer (CGO). In this newly created positon, Newlands will be responsible for leading corporate strategy and business development, accelerating new product development and innovation efforts and leveraging strategic insights. Newlands has 3O years of leadership... Read More

ETHAN HUNT has been appointed Sales Manager for the fine wine importer, marketer and sales company’s New England region. In his new position Hunt will direct marketing and promotional activities including on- and off-premise staff training, trade and consumer tastings and other events. Previously Hunt worked on the import side... Read More

The Court of Master Sommeliers, Americas has named ANDREW McNAMARA as the new Chair and Drew Hendricks as the new Vice Chair of the Board of Directors. McNamera is the Director of Fine Wine/Master Sommelier for Premier Beverage Company and Hendricks is the Vice President of Vintage Marketing and Fullbook... Read More

SHELLEY ZAJIC has been hired as Global Head of Human Resources. In this position she will lead all HR initiatives for the company globally. Zajic joins Patrón from Apollo Education Group where she was Vice President of Human Resources for five years.

LYNN HOUSE has been promoted to National Brand Educator.  In this role she will be responsible for on-premise support, training and mentoring with a primary emphasis on Domaine de Canton French Ginger Liqueur and Pama Pomegranate Liqueur.  This newly established position supports all forms of on-premise efforts including accounts, distributor... Read More

Philip di Belardino, for many years a very large and beloved figure in the wine scene, died November 13 in New York City. Born in Rome and, as he liked to say, brought here in infancy without his consent, he was nurtured amid Italian wine and culture. His late father,... Read More

PIERRE PRINGUET, CEO of French drinks group Pernod Ricard, has been appointed as the new chairman. Pringuet will now work closely with Scotch Whisky Association CEO David Frost to guide the industry over the next few years. One of the items high on his agenda will be the launch of... Read More