J. Lucille Rogers
Through eighteen years of families and friendships, hard and not-so-hard work, office parties and re-staffings, and one changing of the guard, we always relied on the wisdom of this amazing woman. We at Massachusetts Beverage Business have lost an important member of our family. We’ll miss you, dear... Read More
OBITUARY – Harry J. Shapira 66
THE EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT of Heaven Hill Distilleries, who helped oversee the country’s largest, family-owned and operated producer and marketer of distilled, died on October 13. As one of Heaven Hill’s senior executives, Mr. Shapira helped create and design the company’s two new visitor centers: the Bourbon Heritage Center in... Read More
OBITUARY – Charlie Trotter 54
FAMED CHICAGO restaurateur Charlie Trotter passed away in early November. In 1987, Trotter opened his eponymous restaurant, dedicated to American fine dining with European-quality service and wine. He helped introduce the chef tasting menu to the US. The author of 14 cookbooks and a noted philanthropist, Mr. Trotter started out... Read More
VAN GOGH IMPORTS
Joy Suchlicki Vicente has been appointed Director of Marketing. In this newly created role, Vicente will be responsible for branding, strategic planning, creative direction, programming, and the development of materials for the Van Gogh Imports portfolio. A 21-year industry veteran, she most recently ran her own consulting company where she... Read More
PATRÓN SPIRITS
Lee Applbaum has joined the company as Chief Marketing Officer. He will replace Patrón’s current CMO Matt Carroll who is retiring at the end of the year. Applbaum will direct global marketing communications for the group’s portfolio. He joins Patrón having held CMO positions at multinational organizations, including Target Australia... Read More
A.SMITH BOWMAN DISTILLERY
A.SMITH BOWMAN DISTILLERYBRIAN PREWITT has been named Master Distiller for the Virginia-based distiller. He has nearly 15 years of brewing and distilling experience. He completed the Master Brewers Program at the University of California. From there, he joined Great Divide Brewing. Prewitt began distilling when he joined E&J Distilleries eventually... Read More
TREASURY WINE ESTATES – JIM CASEY
JIM CASEY is the new vice president of Treasury’s US East division. Casey has over 15 years of experience in the wine and spirits industry and joins from Diageo where he served for the past five years leading sales and customer marketing, including managing customer marketing for the Charmer Sunbelt... Read More
WHYTE & MACKAY – BRIAN DONAGHEY
BRIAN DONAGHEY is the company’s new CEO. He replaces JOHN BEARD who left the distiller last month. Prior to joining Whye & Mackay, Donaghey was Managing Director of Diageo Scotland.
Obituary: LINCOLN HENDERSON 75
LINCOLN HENDERSON 75 – Bourbon legend Lincoln Henderson passed away on September 1O. One of the original pioneers of the premium bourbon and whiskey categories in the US and an inaugural member of the Kentucky Bourbon Hall of Fame, Henderson spent his life perfecting his craft and creating fine spirits. ... Read More
BAR 5-DAY PROGRAM
BAR 5-DAY PROGRAM – Boston bartender JOY RICHARD of Citizen Public House/Franklin Restaurant Group, was named as one of three recipients of this year’s BAR 5-Day Scholarship, courtesy of Pama Pomegranate Liqueur. BAR, which stands for Beverage Alcohol Resource, is considered a pre-eminent and rigorous spirits and mixology education program. ... Read More