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MATTHEW KAHN has been appointed Vice President of Marketing for Portfolio Brands.  In his new role, Kahn will be responsible for leading the development and execution of brand strategy, media and public relations for Dos Equis, Newcastle Brown Ale, Amstel and the recently acquired Strongbow Cider brand.  Additionally, he will... Read More

BERNIE LUBBERS has been hired as American Whiskey Brand Ambassador.  In his new role he will support the sales and marketing efforts of the company’s American Whiskey Collection among both consumers and trade.  In addition, he will educate these parties on history, production, laws and standards of the whiskies.  Lubbers... Read More

Patrick Ricard, 67, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Pernod Ricard, died suddenly on August 17 after suffering a heart attack on the family-owned island of Bendor in southern France.  Ricard was the son of Paul Ricard, who first commercialized pastis, an anise-flavored liqueur, in 1932.  He was managing... Read More

GRETCHEN W. PRICE has been elected to the Board of Directors, increasing the size of the board to eight members.  Price is Executive Vice President and Chief Financial and Administrative Officer at Arbonne International, a personal care products company.  She previously served as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial and... Read More

Washington State Liquor Control Board (WSLCB) deputy director RICK GARZA is the newly appointed president of the National Association of State Liquor Administrators (NCSLA).  He replaces WILLIAM “BILL” KELLEY of Massachusetts, now the immediate past president.  The NCSLA consists of both private and state-controlled alcohol retail and distribution systems representing... Read More

COLIN WESTCOTT-PITT has been appointed Vice President of Marketing, Heineken.  In his new role, he will provide direction and leadership to support Heineken’s brand strategy and the execution of multicultural events and sponsorship programs.  Most recently, Westcott-Pitt served as Vice President of Marketing for Dos Equis, Amstel Light and Newcastle... Read More

AARON MILLER has been named head winemaker.  Miller brings to the position more than twelve years of international experience, as well as an extensive understanding of the business side of the industry.  Miller comes to PlumpJack from Lewis Cellars where he was the associate winemaker at the family-owned Napa winery. ... Read More

RON ANDERSON has been hired as Senior Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer.  In this role Anderson will focus on enhancing sales force capabilities, commercial effectiveness and implementing more robust go-to-market programs.  He will provide leadership support to the regions and help identify capabilities to strengthen the company’s commercial operations. ... Read More

There are several key senior management changes at the drinks company.  PAUL DUFFY, chairman and CEO, Pernod Ricard USA, has been appointed chairman and CEO, The Absolut Company.  Duffy, who also was named to the Pernod Ricard Group Executive Committee, succeeds PHILIPPE GUETTAT, who has been named chairman and CEO,... Read More

KATHLEEN HEITZ MYERS of Heitz Wine Cellars in St.Helena has been elected the 2O12-2O13 board chairman for the public policy advocacy group representing nearly 1OOO California wineries.  Other board officers elected include: CHRIS FEHRNSTROM of Constellation Wines US in San Francisco, first vice chairman; CAROLYN WENTE of Wente Family Estates... Read More