OBITUARY: PATTY BOGLE, 59
The matriarch of Bogle Vineyards in Clarksburg, California, died in February due to complications of leukemia. Patty Bogle and her late-husband Chris built Bogle Vineyards from 18 acres of grapes to a regional wine powerhouse. Wine Business Monthly recently ranked Bogle as the country’s 14th largest winery. The Bogles first... Read More
PERNOD RICARD USA
Ed Merklen has been named General Manager-East Division Sales. Prior to joining Pernod Ricard, Merklen worked for the past twelve years at the Coca-Cola Company where he held a series of executive sales roles in the bottling, divisional and national chain groups. In his most recent position as VP of... Read More
SIDNEY FRANK IMPORTING COMPANY
Todd Richman has been named Corporate Mixologist, a newly created position. Richman will lead the bartender loyalty programs and develop drink strategies for the Sidney Frank portfolio. He has over seven years experience working in the food and spirits industry and most recently comes from Frederick Wildman and Sons. An... Read More
MAKER’S MARK
In April, Bill Samuels, Jr., will retire as President and transition into the role of Chairman Emeritus. His son, Rob Samuels, who was appointed COO in October, will lead the organization going forward. Bill Samuels, Jr., has been at the helm of Maker’s Mark for 35 years. He is the... Read More
HEINEKEN USA
LESYA LYSYJ has been appointed as the company’s new Chief Marketing Officer. Lysyj brings more than 2O years of marketing consumer packaged goods, image and premium brands, much of which was spent as a CMO. In her new role, Lysyj will be responsible for developing long-term marketing strategies for the... Read More
BEAM GLOBAL SPIRITS & WINE
Donard Gaynor has been appointed as Senior Vice President, Corporate Development. Gaynor will be responsible for industry relations and building strategic commercial business partnerships. As Senior Vice President and Managing Director-International, he lead the Allied Domecq brand acquisition and integration, as well as re-aligning its international route-to-market strategy. Gaynor spent... Read More
W.J.DEUTSCH & SONS
The importer and marketer of wines and spirits has appointed beverage industry veteran Mike McGill as President, W.J.Deutsch Spirits Division. McGill, who joins the company from Diageo where he was Senior Vice President/General Manager, Southwest, will be responsible for the sales and marketing of Deutsch’s Spirits Division, including full P&L... Read More
HEINEKEN USA
HEINEKEN USALESYA LYSYJ has been appointed as the company’s new Chief Marketing Officer. Lysyj brings more than 2O years of marketing consumer packaged goods, image and premium brands, much of which was spent as a CMO. In her new role, Lysyj will be responsible for developing long-term marketing strategies for... Read More
CLASSIC WINE IMPORTS and GORDON & MACPHAIL
CHRIS RIESBECK has been hired as the new National Brand Ambassador for Gordon & MacPhail. He will be responsible for all sales functions, working with the Classic Wine Imports distributor network as well as independently to increase the awareness and distribution for the portfolio. Riesbeck joins the Gordon & MacPhail... Read More
WINEBOW
The importer and distributor of fine wine, spirits and sake from around the world has announced a series of senior management changes. LEONARDO LOCASCIO, who founded Winebow 3O years ago, has assumed the title of Founder and Chairman. In this role, LoCascio will remain active in the overall strategy of... Read More