Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Websites
Contact Information
Professional Development And Board Experience
Timeline
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BRENT ALBERTSON

Chicago,IL

Summary

Results-driven CEO with 35+ years of progressive leadership experience in the beverage alcohol industry. Proven track record of transformational leadership, portfolio expansion, and exceptional P&L growth. Expert in strategic planning, organizational development, omni-channel expansion, and route-to-market optimization. Known for collaborative leadership style, superior integrity, and impeccable work ethic that consistently drives businesses to exceed growth targets and market expectations.

Overview

41
41
years of professional experience

Work History

Chief Executive Officer

ZING ZANG LLC
Chicago, IL
10.2019 - Current
  • Successfully transitioned founder-led company by establishing new internal process, hiring top talent, and transforming route-to-market system
  • Grew EBITDA from $5.9M to $16M (171% increase) and revenue from $29M to $60M (107% increase) in 6 years
  • Scaled case volume from 900K to 2.3M through strategic channel diversification and portfolio innovation
  • Expanded product portfolio from 2 to 16 SKUs, creating a diversified premium cocktail mixer portfolio
  • Built high-performing team from 7 to 28 employees, insourcing all sales, marketing, product development, and finance functions
  • Increased off-premise distribution by 250,000+ points while accelerating DTC and eCommerce growth channels
  • Established resilient co-manufacturing network with built-in redundancy for supply chain optimization
  • Reinvented the #1 Bloody Mary mix brand into a multi-category premium brand leader

President & Chief Customer Officer

ZING ZANG LLC
Chicago, IL
12.2016 - 09.2019
  • Developed strategic framework and identified growth drivers that enabled rapid brand expansion and revenue growth
  • Led organizational restructuring and talent acquisition to support innovation and commercial market execution
  • Consolidated fragmented distribution network from 200 distributors and 14 brokers into 8 core strategic partners
  • Established and led internal sales team while optimizing route-to-market strategy

SVP & General Manager, National Accounts, Global Walmart and Military

DIAGEO NORTH AMERICA
Chicago, IL
01.2011 - 12.2016
  • Led $1B+ National Account business across Off-Premise, On-Premise and Military channels to record results for 5 consecutive years
  • Transformed National Accounts from worst to top-performing division in just 2 years
  • Grew Net Sales Value from $769MM to over $1.2B in 5 years, consistently outperforming all North American divisions
  • Transformed division structure, business processes, budget allocation, customer relationships and technology infrastructure
  • Received best practice Diageo Global Value Survey Scores for FY2013, 2014 and 2015
  • Improved team diversity from 22% to 55% while enhancing overall capabilities of 55-person National Team
  • Chaired marketing initiatives for flagship brands including Smirnoff, Ketel One, Crown Royal, and Guinness
  • Developed and maintained high-impact relationships with top national retail and on-premise customers

SVP & General Manager, Midwest Region

DIAGEO NORTH AMERICA
Chicago, IL
01.2007 - 12.2011
  • Led sales, marketing, and finance capability across multi-state region during economic recession
  • Grew net sales and operating margin within mid-western states by 4% annually during recession period
  • Expanded NSV from $320MM to $375MM while transforming distribution system to include dedicated divisions
  • Appointed and developed new distributor in Indiana that won Golden Bar / distributor of the year 3 consecutive years
  • Delivered business unit performance above operating plan all 4 years
  • Built strong cross-functional team with diverse capabilities in local marketing, sales, finance, on/off premise and events

Senior Vice President, TBA National Accounts

DIAGEO NORTH AMERICA
Chicago, IL
01.2004 - 12.2007
  • Led 8M case Diageo Spirit-Beer & Wine business across all national Off-Premise customers
  • Directed customer planning, A&P and execution for Spirits, Wine, Beer, FMB and Non-Alcohol Brokerage business
  • Exceeded operating plan 3 consecutive years on NSV of over $600MM
  • Recruited and transitioned team of 30 from geographic-based structure to a more effective channel structure
  • Led team to Category Captain status with top customers including Sam's-Wal-Mart, Meijer, CVS and Kroger
  • Developed performance management systems that increased accountability and drove greater market share
  • Helped establish the first integrated Beer, Wine and Spirits approach with national accounts in Diageo North America

Vice President, National Accounts, Diageo-Guinness USA

DIAGEO NORTH AMERICA
Stamford, CT
01.2002 - 12.2004
  • Transformed geographically-based retail division into focused National Account Team structure
  • Consolidated Irish Pub Team, Draught Quality Team and On-Premise Team into unified organization
  • Built and delivered 2004 plan that grew 1.6M cases and $35MM of NSV growth
  • Led national sales team of 65 professionals serving top National Customers (30% of total U.S. sales)
  • Integrated Category Management expertise into each Channel Team
  • Led Diageo National project to combine beer, wine and spirits sales forces into one National Account Team

Regional Director, Central Division

DIAGEO NORTH AMERICA
Chicago, IL
01.1998 - 12.2002
  • Exceeded plan 4 straight years with average growth of 5% per year
  • Managed $320MM spirits and wine portfolio sales and distributor relationships across five states
  • Generated $47MM in gross profit contribution
  • Led Seagram integration and consolidation of offices, teams and wholesalers in Midwest states
  • Recruited and developed team of 20 after consolidating 4 unique businesses
  • Managed $11MM spirits and wine budget
  • Spearheaded 'Next Generation Growth' route-to-market initiative for the Division

Pre-Sort Overnight

United Parcel Service, UPS
Kalamazoo, MI
10.1984 - 02.1987
  • Maintained consistent 3:00 AM to 9:00 AM shift from Monday to Friday while completing university education.
  • Cultivated strong work ethic and time management skills, establishing foundation for future career success.

Education

Bachelor of Science - Business & Communications

Western Michigan University
Kalamazoo, MI

Skills

P&L and EBITDA management

  • Organizational design
  • Omni-channel strategy
  • Cross-functional collaboration
  • Route-to-market strategy
  • National customer relations
  • Regulatory compliance in beverage alcohol
  • International market strategy
  • Innovation and product development
  • Revenue optimization
  • Brand and portfolio strategy
  • Talent and Team Development

Contact Information

[Contact Information]

Professional Development And Board Experience

  • Past Board Member - Illinois Hotel Association
  • Executive Sponsor - Western Michigan University CPG Marketing Program
  • Member - Johnnie Walker, Ketel One, Crown Royal, and Innovation/Venture Brand Boards
  • IRI-Nielsen Executive Expert
  • Advanced Training: Diageo Way of Brand Building, Category Management, Financial P&L Management, Statistical Analysis, Business Management (NYU)
  • Leader on DEO/Seagram's Business Integration Team

Timeline

Chief Executive Officer

ZING ZANG LLC
10.2019 - Current

President & Chief Customer Officer

ZING ZANG LLC
12.2016 - 09.2019

SVP & General Manager, National Accounts, Global Walmart and Military

DIAGEO NORTH AMERICA
01.2011 - 12.2016

SVP & General Manager, Midwest Region

DIAGEO NORTH AMERICA
01.2007 - 12.2011

Senior Vice President, TBA National Accounts

DIAGEO NORTH AMERICA
01.2004 - 12.2007

Vice President, National Accounts, Diageo-Guinness USA

DIAGEO NORTH AMERICA
01.2002 - 12.2004

Regional Director, Central Division

DIAGEO NORTH AMERICA
01.1998 - 12.2002

Pre-Sort Overnight

United Parcel Service, UPS
10.1984 - 02.1987

Bachelor of Science - Business & Communications

Western Michigan University

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