GENE ZIMMEMAN
ORL,FL
Summary
Highly accomplished vp/director/entrepreneur with extensive experience in wine, spirits, restaurants, & cocktail bars.
Overview
2027
2027
years of professional experience
Work History
Vice President of Sales
Ken Wright Cellars
Carlton, Oregon
01.2022 - Current
- Increased sales and distribution to record levels for winery
- Restructured sales division, enhancing profitability and operational efficiency
Creator/Proprietor
The Courtesy
Orlando, FL
09.2012 - Current
- Established Orlando's first dedicated craft cocktail bar, focusing on innovative cocktail design and a unique customer experience
- Achieved recognition as Central Florida's most awarded cocktail bar, earning accolades from Imbibe, Southern Living, Chicago Tribune, Eater, and more
Director of Beverage
Beverage Sixty Vines/Mexican Sugar
Dallas, TX
05.2019 - 12.2022
- Created and curated extensive keg and cork-finished wine program featuring family-owned growers and producers focused on sustainability for Sixty Vines.
- Developed on-brand bar program from scratch and elevated Mexican Sugar program to emphasize cocktails and craft beverages.
- Managed bar team and designed monthly wine and spirit educational programs, resulting in significant increases in LBW sales.
Creator/Proprietor
DoveCote Brasserie
Orlando, FL
08.2014 - 12.2019
- Created and designed Central Florida's first brasserie with chef/partner Clay Miller from French Laundry, Daniel, establishing a unique dining experience in the region.
- Led DoveCote to become the first restaurant awarded Best New Restaurant of the Year by Orlando Magazine, The Sentinel, and Orlando Weekly, gaining recognition for culinary excellence.
Director of Sales
Halter Ranch Vineyards
Paso Robles, CA
10.2011 - 04.2019
- One of the founding members and first national director of sales for the winery.
- Took the brand from 5k cases to 27K cases while establishing a 70% on-premise 30% off-premise spread and managed national distribution network
Regional Sales Manager
TOG – The Other Guys
Sonoma, CA
11.2009 - 09.2011
- Managed distributors and sales within 8 states for 8 brands.
- Created shipments from 0 to 68K cases in less than 2 years.
Southern U.S. Sales Manager
Vintage New World
Paso Robles, CA
08.2007 - 11.2009
- Established and managed distribution in 14 states for 10 brands.
- Sold never-before-seen wines in burgeoning markets taking sales to 25K cases in less than two years.
East Coast Area Manager
World Wines
Miramar, FL
12.1994 - 08.2007
- Built a boutique distributor for Charmer-Sunbelt (now Breakthru Beverage) from scratch
- Grew a team of 3 people and $2+ million in revenue to 14 people and $13 million in revenue while managing business from Pensacola to Boca Raton.
Key Account Manager
Premier Beverage Co.
Orlando, FL
- The first and youngest wine-only key account manager to be appointed in Central FL.
- Responsible for new account openings, existing account management, and training of 7 member sales team
Skills
- Accomplished multi-faceted entrepreneur
- Proficient high-volume and boutique-sized brand management
- A strong results-oriented record of personnel management and development
- Extensive fine wine and craft spirit knowledge & experience
- A high level of multi-state market equity among the on and off-premise segments
- Mastery of winning hearts and minds while creating passion for regions, people, wineries and distilleries
Timeline
Vice President of Sales
Ken Wright Cellars
01.2022 - Current
Director of Beverage
Beverage Sixty Vines/Mexican Sugar
05.2019 - 12.2022
Creator/Proprietor
DoveCote Brasserie
08.2014 - 12.2019
Creator/Proprietor
The Courtesy
09.2012 - Current
Director of Sales
Halter Ranch Vineyards
10.2011 - 04.2019
Regional Sales Manager
TOG – The Other Guys
11.2009 - 09.2011
Southern U.S. Sales Manager
Vintage New World
08.2007 - 11.2009
East Coast Area Manager
World Wines
12.1994 - 08.2007
Key Account Manager
Premier Beverage Co.