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CHRISTOPHER BAUDER has been appointed as the Bourbon Category Business Team (CBT) General Manager.  In this role, Bauder will lead Beam’s largest, top-performing spirits category and spearhead the continued growth of all bourbon brands in the US, including Jim Beam, Maker’s Mark, Knob Creek, and Basil Hayden’s.  Before joining Beam,... Read More

ROBERT POLET has been named as a Non-Executive Director. He replaces GIANLUCA BROZETTI of Asprey International.  Polet has been CEO and President of the Gucci Group for the past seven years. Previously, he was President of Unilever’s Worldwide Ice Cream and Frozen Foods division.

ALEJANDRA PEÑA has joined the drinks company as Senior Vice President – Marketing and Brand Director of Pallini.  As such, she will be responsible for the marketing of all of the company’s brands globally.  She will also have direct responsibility for overseeing the marketing of Pallini liqueurs in the US. ... Read More

Perhaps it’s the fresh Scottish air, maybe it’s good genes or possibly it’s indulging in a tipple of scotch, but whatever her secret, Scotland’s oldest lady, Janet Roberts, has reached the impressive age of 11O. The last surviving granddaughter of William Grant, the founder of Glenfiddich Distillery, Janet celebrated her... Read More

FRANK B. SOUSA, Jr., 65The President of Colonial Wholesale Beverage Co. passed away unexpectedly on July 25. Born in Fall River, Mr. Sousa graduated from Coyle-Cassidy High School in 1963 and from Boston College with an Accounting degree in 1967.  He started with Colonial Wholesale Beverage in 1963, and in... Read More

EDWIN H. NIELSEN, 93Edwin H. Nielsen, the great-grandson of Bacardi founder Don Facundo Bacardí Massó, has passed away in Spain.  Born in Santiago de Cuba and raised and educated in the United States, Mr. Nielsen served heroically in World War II and received four medals: the Bronze Star, Purple Heart,... Read More

Robert Furniss-Roe has been appointed President of Bacardi North America, with responsibility for leading all operations in the region for its portfolio of spirits.  He succeeds John P. Esposito, who recently announced his planned retirement.  Furniss-Roe most recently served as Regional President of Latin America and Vice President of Global... Read More

DAVID B. KENT, CEO of The Wine Group LLC, headquartered in San Francisco, became Wine Institute Chairman for the 2O11-2O12 fiscal year at Wine Institute’s 77th Annual Meeting of Members held at the Sonoma Mission Inn.  Kent has been Chief Executive Officer of The Wine Group, which operates a dozen... Read More

The independent craft brewing company has hired ANDREW (ANDY) THOMAS as President of Commercial Operations.  In his role Thomas will be accountable for all sales and marketing activities at the company.  Thomas has more than 2O years of experience in consumer packaged goods and the beverage industry.  He recently served... Read More

PHIL PARNELL, 59The executive chairman of the Drambuie Liqueur Company, Phil Parnell, has passed away after a short illness.  The company said he died after being admitted to hospital, suffering from cancer, earlier in June.  Mr. Parnell was appointed to the boards of Drambuie Ltd and the Drambuie Liqueur Company... Read More