We take a look at some of the companies welcoming new faces to top jobs.
We take a look at some of the companies welcoming new faces to top jobs.
The Brewers Association—the not-for-profit trade association dedicated to small and independent American brewers — has announced its 2023 board of directors, with two new representatives joining the 21-person board.
The directors gathered in Boulder, Colo., February 15-16 for the first of its regular quarterly meetings.
Garrett Marrero, CEO and co-founder Maui Brewing Company (Kihei, Hawaii), started his second term as board chair. Marrero has served on the board since 2016.
New board member Mitch Steele, co-founder, New Realm Brewing Company (Atlanta, Ga.), and incumbent board member Jason Perkins, brewmaster and vice president of operations Allagash Brewing Company (Portland, Maine), were elected as Packaging Brewery representatives. Incumbent board members Jason Lavery, president/founding brewer, Lavery Brewing Company (Erie, Pa.), and Kris Spaulding, owner, Brewery Vivant (Grand Rapids, Mich.), were re-elected as Brewpub representatives. Incumbent board member Melissa Romano, co-founder and co-owner, Lake Anne Brew House (Reston, Va.), was re-elected as a Taproom Brewery representative. The incoming directors will each serve a three-year term.
Colby Cox, founder, Roadhouse Brewing Company (Jackson, Wyo.), and Tim Brady, co-founder, Whetstone Beer Company (Brattleboro, Vt.), were appointed by the board to fill two at-large seats and will each serve a two-year term. Additionally, the American Homebrewers Association (AHA) Governing Committee appointed Shawna Cormier of Burien, Wash., to fill one of its two seats on the Brewers Association board. Cormier will serve a three-year term.
The 2023 Brewers Association Board of Directors is comprised of the following members: (*indicates new to the board in 2023)
Executive Committee
• Chair – Garrett Marrero, Maui Brewing Co., Kihei, Hawaii
• Vice Chair – Leah Cheston, Right Proper Brewing Co., Washington, D.C.
• Secretary/Treasurer – Peter Skrbek, Deschutes Brewery, Bend, Ore.
• Past Chair – Dan Kleban, Maine Beer Co., Freeport, Maine
• Brewers Association President & CEO – Bob Pease
Packaging Brewers Representative Board Members
• Tomme Arthur, Port Brewing Co. and The Lost Abbey, San Marcos, Calif.
• Chris Herron, Creature Comforts Brewing Co., Athens, Ga.
• Dan Kleban, Maine Beer Co., Freeport, Maine
• Garrett Marrero, Maui Brewing Co., Kihei, Hawaii
• Virginia Morrison, Second Chance Beer Co., San Diego, Calif.
• Jason Perkins, Allagash Brewing Co., Portland, Maine
• *Mitch Steele, New Realm Brewing Co., Atlanta, Ga.
Pub Brewers Representative Board Members
• Marcus Baskerville, Weathered Souls Brewing Co., San Antonio, Texas
• Leah Cheston, Right Proper Brewing Co., Washington, D.C.
• Jason Lavery, Lavery Brewing Co., Erie, Pa.
• Kris Spaulding, Brewery Vivant, Grand Rapids, Mich.
Taproom Brewers Representative Board Members
• Betty Bollas, Fibonacci Brewing Co., Cincinnati, Ohio
• Holly Redding, Winchester Brew Works, Winchester, Va.
• Melissa Romano, Lake Anne Brewhouse, Reston, Va.
At-Large Board Members
• Tim Brady, Whetstone Beer Co., Brattleboro, Vt.
• Pamela Brulotte, Icicle Brewing Co., Leavenworth, Wash.
• Colby Cox, Roadhouse Brewing Co., Jackson, Wyo.
• Fred Matt, Saranac Brewery/Matt Brewing Co., Utica, N.Y.
• Peter Skrbek, Deschutes Brewery, Bend, Ore.
American Homebrewers Association Representative Board Members
• *Shawna Cormier, Burien, Wash.
• Roxanne Westendorf, Cincinnati, Ohio
Committee Chairs
• AHA Governing –Shawna Cormier
• Brewpubs – Jason Lavery & Kris Spaulding
• Diversity, Equity & Inclusion – Virginia Morrison
• Events – Tim Brady
• Executive – Garrett Marrero
• Finance – Peter Skrbek
• Governance – Roxanne Westendorf
• Government Affairs – Garrett Marrero
• Market Development – Fred Matt
• Public Relations & Marketing – Colby Cox & Fred Matt
• Taprooms—Melissa Romano & Holly Redding
• Technical—Jason Perkins & Kris Spaulding
Molson Coors has appointed Michelle St. Jacques as its next Chief Commercial Officer, as it creates a commercial business function in its Americas business unit to focus on growth for the years ahead.
St. Jacques, who has served as Molson Coors’ Chief Marketing Officer since 2019, has led core brands like Coors Light through the launch of “Made to Chill” and built a strong premium light portfolio strategy with ‘clear right to win paths’ for both Miller Lite and Coors Light. St. Jacques has also accelerated Molson Coors’ above premium portfolio, building into new white spaces with successful innovations like Topo Chico Hard Seltzer and Simply Spiked Lemonade.
Sofia Colucci becomes the company’s new Chief Marketing Officer. Colucci joined the organization in 2017 and currently serves as the global vice president of marketing for Miller Brands and economy.
The current president of emerging growth, Pete Marino, will be leaving the business as he pursues his next entrepreneurial venture.
James France, the founder of Australian premium spirits importer and distributor Vanguard Luxury Brands, has decided to leave the company he founded in 2008 and subsequently sold to Lion.
Based in Sydney, the company distributes across all states and territories of Australia, catering to bars, liquor stores, restaurants and hotels. Brands in its portfolio include Four Pillars Gin, Michter’s Whiskey, Fuji Whisky, Bearface Whisky, Morris Whisky and Gospel Whiskey.
France’s last official day at Vanguard will be May 11. He said: “After months of deep reflection and as I turn 60, I have come to the decision that it’s the right time for me to leave Vanguard.
“I have worked closely with the Vanguard and Lion teams to ensure a smooth transition. With this now complete, I am so happy to see that Vanguard is now standing strongly on its own two feet and ready to enter the next phase of its growth.”
Frank Chessman, formerly the Alkaline Water Company’s Director of Sales and Operations, has been appointed as the new CEO and President.
Chessman has been with the company since its inception as the architect of its consistent sales growth to approximately $100m in retail sales in 2022. He has over five decades of experience in sales, marketing, and operations.
Prior to joining the company, he served as Vice President of Sales and Advertising for Ralphs Grocery Company and spent 14 years at Simon Marketing as the Executive Vice President. His extensive experience also includes a decade in beverage manufacturing.
Chessman replaces Frank Lazaran, who has stepped down due to medical concerns. He will continue to serve on the Board of Directors.
Drinks Ireland, the Ibec group that represents the Irish drinks sector, has announced the election of Pat Rigney as its Chairperson for the next two years.
Rigney is the founder and managing director of ‘The Shed Distillery of PJ Rigney’: best known for Drumshanbo Gunpowder Irish Gin which it distils in Drumshanbo, Co Leitrim. Prior to founding the distillery in 2014, Pat had 25 years’ experience in the industry.
There are around 40 Irish whiskey distilleries and over 34 Irish gin producers on the island of Ireland. There are eight facilities in Ireland producing Irish Cream and nine Poitín producers. As well as this, there are 100 brewing companies and about a dozen cider producers in the Republic of Ireland.
