People

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

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.

Chief Executive PAUL WALSH will retire after 13 years at the helm of the drinks company, with Chief Operating Officer IVAN EMNEZES taking the reins July 1.  During his tenure Walsh transformed Diageo from a conglomerate of food interests ranging from the Burger King chain to a dough manufacturer into... Read More

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.

Nik Fordham has been appointed Master Distiller.  In this position he will oversee production for the brand at the Bombay Sapphire Distillery in Laverstoke Mill, Hampshire, England, due to open later this year.  As Master Distiller, Fordham will join Ivano Tonutti, the brand’s Master of Botanicals.

TOM LOONEY is being promoted from Chief Commercial Officer to President.  He replaces Sheila Stanziale who is leaving the company to pursue other opportunities.  Jeff Ivey, currently Senior VP of Route to Market Strategy, will take Looney’s place.

Tony M. Bagnulo has been appointed Vice President, On-Premise Marketing.  In this newly created hybrid marketing and sales role, he will lead all on-premise programs, management and training as well as analysis and monitoring of the on-premise account universe for the company’s portfolio.  Bagnulo has a decade of experience growing... Read More