Dedicated wine industry professional with a history of meeting company goals utilizing consistent and organized practices. Skilled in working under pressure and adapting to new situations and challenges to best enhance the organizational brand.
Overview
33
33
years of professional experience
Work History
Sales and Marketing Director
Acumen
06.2019 - Current
Oversee all sales segments, DTC, distributor channels, and export
Report directly to owners monthly regarding P&L
Manage all tasting room and art gallery operations and work close with our property manager and Napa City officials
Oversee a team that includes DTC Manager and 5 supporting team members
Manage all National Account RFP’s and new item presentations for major chains including Safeway, AVP, Trader Joes, Costco, Kroeger, Disney, Flemings, Landry’s
Opened 18 new markets in the last 4 years and have a united alignment with SGWS in most markets except where represented by RNDC
Fostered long-standing relationships with multiple management tiers with SGWS and RNDC, including working close with Cindy Leonard and Mel Dick in Miami
Opened 5 major export markets including the U.K, Japan, Singapore, Canada, and Korea
Traveled to Hong Kong for Vin Expo and worked on opening the HK and Singapore markets
Established a Type 42 tasting room license to enable us to serve Champagne
Maintained relationships for key partnerships and marketing opportunities with the San Francisco 49ers, 'V' Foundation, Bon Appetite at Oracle Park, BottleRock, Ojai Food & Wine, Telluride F&W, National Ability Center, Brian Culbertson Jazz Getaway, etc
Oversee and manage all PR and Marketing with J.A.M
Public Relations and Wine Glass Marketing including media submissions and creative development of sales support tools
Worked directly with our winemaker on new SKU development
Worked with the production team to determine wine needs, grape sales, and bulk wine
Oversaw label redesign for all SKU’s and developed Acumen sparkling wine program for on-premise business and wine dinners
Developed seasonal events including Dueling Pianos and Gallery shows
Partnered with artists, jewelers, Napa Valley Film Festival to host other events and dinners
Drove profitability by selling 1,200 cases of old vintages and by eliminated unprofitable SKUs
Increased net margin from 17% to 56% on average across all 7 SKU’s
Introduced DA’s for QD’s and BTG programming
Introduced higher tier into wholesale with lucrative incentive programs to build the brand
Spent 35% of my time traveling supporting sales, market events, key account events, wine dinners and charity events
Served as the face of the brand
Actively involved with WISE and am a Cabinet member with other like-minded Presidents, V.P.’s, and National Sales Managers
Consultant
11.2018 - 05.2019
Launched new (wine in a can) product and expedited Safeway, Albertsons, Vons & Pavilions authorizations into Spring 2019 reset CA statewide and HI
Established and trained staff on CRM
Helped brands establish new authorizations at major national chain and on-premise accounts including Kroger, Safeway, Target and Walmart
Planned and confirmed 2019 annual Kroger (exclusive brand) national programming including consistent features and programs
Established brand standards for distributor/broker training
Established distributor partnerships with major national distributor and grew representation from 29 to 50 markets in 3 months
Negotiated contracts on behalf of clients, securing favorable terms that contributed to their overall success.
National Sales Manager
Fort Ross Vineyard & Winery
09.2017 - 11.2018
Part of a two-person sales management team that grew the brand from six active markets to 19 with a major focus in the chains
Led the sales team and oversaw on- and off-premise national accounts in all markets
Launched new brand Sea Slopes: strategic emphasis in California (20% of all market share)
Engaged in negotiations with 5 major distributors while maintaining and growing business with the pre-established broker
Orchestrated 2018 kickoff and grew depletions by 15% in CA
Opened new business/placements with rapid IRI growth at Disneyland Resorts, Safeway, AVP, Raley’s, Whole Foods, BevMo, Grand Hyatt & Miraval resorts, Marriott/Bonvoy Resorts, Tommy Bahama, Pebble Beach, Vino Volo, AJ’s, Foodland, Nugget Market, Lundardi’s, Bristol Farms, Draegers, and Ruth’s Chris
Oversaw 'V' Foundation event participation at Wine Celebration
Managed third-party resources for purposes of marketing and sales support including: SalesPros, Promoworks & Vestcom
Managed ultra-premium brand tier with independent on- and off-premise segments in new markets
Distributor Management including: Depletion goals, new item and programming presentations, RFP calendar and submissions, staff education for chain wine stewards and national account on-premise staff, promotional and sample budgets, portfolio events, consumer events
Implemented CRM into company practices
Built national pricing grid from COG’s including national account program budgets
Utilized regional and national Nielsen/IRI data for benchmarking short/long term goals and tracking success
Created PowerPoint presentations and sell sheets
National Accounts Manager-West
Prestige Beverage Group
05.2016 - 08.2017
Managed distribution and sales for all National Accounts both on- and off-premise in the Western Region including CA, NV, AZ, NM, OR & WA for chains, including Costco, Safeway, Albertsons, Vons, Winco, FoodMaxx, BevMo, Stater Brothers and other small chains
On-premise responsibilities including Mortons, PF Changs, Disney, Il Fornaio, Cheesecake Factory, and other large national accounts
Worked with multiple businesses in each state to secure distribution, shipment and depletion efforts
Private label creation
Vice President, Sales
Schweiger Vineyards & Winery
09.2003 - 05.2015
Managed all National Sales with key focus in nine states and 15 other peripheral markets
Key accomplishments; six-year national Disney core placement, SW Steak and chain programming for older vintages at Trader Joes and Costco, private label creation for Trader Joes with the Tug McGraw Foundation, programs for British Airways First Class service and Disney cruise ships, export to Japan, Switzerland and Panama
DTC management
Managed all off-site events including key charity events with NVV, V Foundation, and other charitable wine events across the U.S
Western Regional Manager- CA, NV & HI
Southcorp Wines/Rosemount Estate
01.1998 - 08.2003
Managed Northern CA chain accounts including Safeway, Albertsons, Beverages & More and Cost Plus
Managed all broad market accounts including mini (independent) chain accounts
West Coast Regional Manager – CA, NV, HI
Paterno Imports
05.1995 - 12.1997
Chain & Broad Market responsibilities in three states including Costco, Cost Plus, Albertsons & Safeway
Area Manager, New England Markets, CT, VT, MA, NH
District Manager Chains-Spirits
Heublein
06.1991 - 04.1995
District Manager Chains-Spirits, Southern CA: 6 Direct Reports