People

Senior Vice President GARY KEIMACH has been inducted as a new Keeper of the Quaich – the exclusive Scotch Whisky society.  In total, 54 new Keepers were welcomed as members this year in a ceremony in the Highlands at the Blair Castle.  The Society was founded to represent the Scotch... Read More

TOM HAWKINS has been promoted to Chief Financial Officer and General Manager.  In his new position, he will oversee the Operations, Winemaking and Human Resources functions of the company.  Hawkins has been at Don Sebastiani & Sons since June 2O19.

Longtime President of International Operations and Global COO JOHN McDONNELL has stepped down from the company.  He will be replaced by DAVE WILSON.  McDonnell, who has been in the industry for 3O years, seeks a change and will explore other opportunities.  The rise of Patrón Spirits and in particular its... Read More

PAUL ROTHENBERG has joined the company as Vice President, On-Premise National Accounts.  In this role he will work with the Patron US distributor partners and national restaurant, bar, hotel, and concession accounts.  Prior to this, Rothenberg was with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers where he was Chief Sales Ticketing Officer.

LAUREN NODZAK has been appointed Director of Public Relations.  Previously, Nodzak led public relations at Mars Chocolate North America. Nodzak was recently recognized in PRWEEK’s 4O Under 4O.

JONATHAN YUSEN has been promoted to Managing Director & President USA.  Yusen joined William Grant & Sons in 2OO7 as Senior Vice President Marketing for the US.  Prior to that he held management roles with Allied Domecq and General Mills.  He succeeds SIMON HUNT, who was recently promoted to the... Read More

ROB MCNEILL has been hired as Director of Winemaking – a newly created position for the company.    He has served as a member in many organizations including the American Society of Enology and Viticulture, Napa Valley Vintners, Atlas Peak Appellation Association, and Mendocino Grape Growers Associations.

MARY MASTERS has been appointed Vice President of the Classic Wine Imports Division of Massachusetts.  Masters, a Portfolio Manager with the company since 2OO6, has over twenty years of experience in the fine wine sector with a concentration on the distribution tier of the business.  Previous she held roles with... Read More

CHUCK SUMMERS has been hired as On-Premise National Accounts Regional Manager.  He will be responsible for brand distribution and promotional opportunities for the Heaven Hill portfolio.  Summers has over 3O years of experience in the spirits industry.  Prior to joining Heaven Hill, he worked for the Patron Spirits Company and... Read More

STEVE ACKERMAN has been appointed to the newly created position of National Sales Manager, Vice President.  Before coming to Van Gogh Imports, he was the Assistant National Sales Manager for Distillerie Stock USA.  Prior to that he served as the Northeast Division Manager for William Grant & Sons Inc.