Jennifer L Hamm
Paso Robles,California
Summary
Talented beverage alcohol compliance professional with more than a decade of direct beverage alcohol compliance experience with increasing levels of responsibility. With a background in marketing, public relations, customer service, and media relations for the hospitality sector, I understand marketing compliance challenges and customer considerations, in addition to Federal (TTB) and 50-state regulatory licensing, shipping and general compliance challenges. I am able to meet deadlines, complete pesky paperwork accurately and thoroughly, think creatively, problem-solve, research and implement programs in order to manage compliance from start to finish. Supplier-side (including 3-tier, self-distribution and direct-to-consumer channels) and wholesaler-side experience (via LibDib and RNDC). Results-oriented with strong written and verbal communication skills. Positive, outgoing and fun co-worker. Self-motivated and self-directed, dependable, achieving high performance output with minimal supervision. Strong computer skills (Mac & PC). I am your "i" dotter and "t" crosser.
Overview
12
12
years of professional experience
Work History
Head of Compliance
Bright Cellars Inc.
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
08.2020 - Current
- Manage all facets of regulatory and organizational compliance for large direct-to-consumer online wine club with winery (02 winegrower permit) in Santa Rosa, CA, corporate office in Milwaukee, WI. 100% remote employee based in Paso Robles, CA.
- Gathered and prepared all documentation for TTB and ABC change in control filings (working directly with outside counsel, company executives, board of directors and investors).
- Obtained 13 new state licenses in a 3-month period after change in control filings. Manage license renewals, including updating and/or reapplying for existing 30+ state licenses to reflect new company ownership.
- Manage Secretary of State qualifications and Franchise Tax reportings.
- File TTB Winery Ops Reports and federal Excise Tax Returns, as well as manage all state tax returns for sales and excise taxes. Work with dev team and member experience teams on tax and compliance changes which affect customer receipts and orders.
- File CA Winegrower Excise Tax Returns and manage filings of CA sales & use tax returns. Understanding of economic nexus as it relates to sales tax for alcoholic beverages.
- Manage and apply for DTC licenses, developed policies and procedures to increase on-time filings and ensure regulatory compliance.
- Manage trade name additions and premises changes with TTB and appropriate fictitious business name filings. Apply for COLA's, proofread all labels for compliance and register labels in accordance with state regulations.
- Interface regularly with representatives of investor/venture capital firms, attorneys, as well as staff at all levels of the organization.
- Implemented audit procedures which resulted in finding over $250k in overpaid excise taxes from 2017 - 2020.
- Developed and implemented strategies to minimize risk of non-compliance.
- Created and led educational training sessions and onboarding programs with all departments to educate staff on alcohol industry issues, and considerations of this highly-regulated industry.
- Adhere to deadlines, improve record-keeping processes. Respond to regulatory notices and issues.
- Work with engineering/dev team to implement various order- and compliance-improvement processes (age/ID verification, standardized pricing, order and inventory management). Helped execute migration to Shopify platform for e-commerce.
- Onboarded the company with DRINKS compliance app (plug-in for Shopify e-commerce platform).
Director of Compliance
Integrated Beverage Group
Denver, CO
05.2020 - 08.2020
- Worked 100% remote from home office in Paso Robles, CA.
- Offered expertise to stakeholders needing advice on compliance regulations and beverage alcohol industry best practices for wholesale relationships, direct to consumer sales, labeling and licensing.
- Reviewed existing licensing and brand/label registration issues, company processes and other operational areas to check compliance.
- Guided and supported teams engaged in compliance in reporting, licensing, registration, marketing, direct-to-consumer initiatives, packaging, and distributor relationships.
- Managed state and federal reporting for 3 separate alcohol companies (wine & spirits). Utilize ShipCompliant software for DTC shipments and reporting.
- Organized products, COLAs, licenses and product registrations for 3 separate alcohol companies (wine & spirits).
- Created DTC strategy for newly acquired spirits company.
- Oversaw compliance with Clean Label Project and Transparency Project for wines produced without pesticides, metals and contaminants, and documenting label claims within TTB and state regulations.
- Ultimately recommended company reorganization of department (reorganized to meet current economic company needs - mostly needed reporting, not a director of compliance)
- Provided marketing support by reviewing and submitting regulatory-related materials for social media, newsletters and other promotional strategies.
Supplier Experience and Compliance Manager
Liberation Distribution, Inc
San Jose, CA
08.2018 - 04.2020
- Worked 80% remote from Paso Robles home office, with occasional travel to San Jose, CA and Atlanta, GA.
- Launched "eRNDC," RNDC's E-commerce and Supplier Portal, including project and product management: concepting with dev team, testing, demos and trainings for RNDC teams and pilot suppliers, pilot launch, supplier trainings, and hand-off to RNDC data management team.
- Provided ongoing product management and support during sprints and build-outs for each eRNDC Supplier Portal release.
- Helped to expand, manage and license startup technology and distribution company focused on providing an innovative, 3-tier-compliant distribution channel for small, craft producers utilizing an advanced internet-based platform.
- Worked with attorneys, regulators and internal Maker and Reseller teams to implement best practices for state-specific regulatory compliance and entry into new markets.
- Managed all LibDib license expirations and renewals, as well as supplier brand registrations.
- Delivered exceptional level of service to suppliers by educating and addressing compliance concerns and addressing fulfillment and licensing questions.
- Completed and submitted license applications and request confidential corporate documents from owners and executives as mandated by state regulations. Facilitate monthly reporting and tax payments.
- Compiled operations documents and determine best practices and logistics for distribution in all states.
- Tracked and reported on warehouse issues and inventory management in 3 states. Created reports to estimate future inventory needs.
- Apply for COLAs for imported products.
- Conference call twice weekly with management team and executives of distribution partners, once weekly with legal team.
Compliance Specialist/Marketing Coordinator
J. Lohr Vineyards & Wines
Paso Robles, CA
07.2014 - 08.2018
- Managed 50-state regulatory compliance for 2-million case winery with 3 licensed production facilities, heavily weighted on wholesale/3-tier distribution.
- Tracked and completed all state license and permit renewals, submitted applications for new direct-to-consumer and wholesale licenses as needed and filed ownership/leadership changes when appropriate.
- Met with new sales team members to apply for required sales/solicitor licenses in all states where required.
- Applied for TTB label approvals (COLAs) and completed all required state brand and label registrations and renewals.
- Planned two annual invitation-only, immersive distributor-education "camps" for 15-20 distributor reps and winery executives in Monterey and Paso Robles, and additional locations as necessary. Planned and executed similar experiences for 40-person National Sales team.
- Coordinated logistics for Regional Sales team meetings.
- Worked with ShipCompliant and eCompli to file monthly reports.
- Met regularly with winery executives, winemaking and sales teams. Fielded inquiries from sales, marketing, winemaking and winery owners regarding labeling, shipping compliance, product registration, event registration, donations, private label bottlings and price postings.
- Managed fictitious business name filings/renewals and trade name additions.
- Occasionally staffed and/or coordinated consumer- or trade-facing events in both Paso Robles and San Jose.
- Helped build social media presence, wrote blog posts and newsletter items.
- Coordinated media visits to Paso Robles with winemakers and San Jose-based marketing team.
- Designed sell sheets and event collateral.
Compliance Account Manager
Compli, Inc
Atascadero, CA
10.2013 - 07.2014
- Managed 15 to 25 wine and spirits compliance-client accounts. Handled everything from national licensing projects (both direct-to-consumer and wholesale) to permit renewals, label registrations and sales licenses.
- Gathered and prepared documentation for permits, bonds, business registration and tax permits.
- Met with new clients to assess scope of service and determine course of action.
- Executed a high volume of work accurately.
Account Manager
Parker Sanpei Lifestyle Communications
San Luis Obispo, CA
07.2012 - 10.2013
- Presented PR, event and marketing plans to winery principals, managers, winemakers and staff.
- Managed day-to-day marketing communications for winery, restaurant and hospitality clients. Wrote and distributed press releases resulting in placements in wine and lifestyle media.
- Built relationships with top journalists, and coordinated sample shipments and editorial pitches.
- Developed itineraries for media tours of 1 to 15 journalists, managing details from flights and rental cars to meals and guest preferences.
Education
B.A - Sociology, Management
University of California
Skills
- Extensive knowledge of state and federal beverage alcohol regulations - for both DTC and 3-tier channels
- Educated on wine and spirits production, importation, allocation, sales and distribution
- Skilled in TTB's Colas Online and Permits Online portals for COLA applications and federal permit applications and updates
- Relationships with CDTFA officials for winegrower returns and reporting issues
- Wholesaler experience and "barrel-to-shelf" understanding
- DRINKS app, ShipCompliant and eCompli/Avalara software-savvy, knowledge of distributor supplier portals and alcohol beverage e-commerce channels using Shopify and Commerce 7
- Tax and regulation expert, focus on record-keeping, audit-preparedness, documentation and timely reporting
- Able to interface with company executives, co-workers and regulators
- Resourceful: able to research and digest information in order to present facts and recommend options when a clear answer isn't present
- Prompt responses to tax notices or regulatory inquiries, as well as client/customer inquiries
- Team player with strong work ethic
- Multi-tasker, able track deadlines, manage projects and self-direct
- Adept at most office programs - Slack, Microsoft Office, Google Suite and timekeeping programs
- Experienced remote worker: Zoom, GoogleMeet, Teams and WebEx-friendly
Affiliations
- Former California Notary Public (could re-commission)
- Member, UC Irvine Alumni Association
Timeline
Head of Compliance
Bright Cellars Inc.
08.2020 - Current
Director of Compliance
Integrated Beverage Group
05.2020 - 08.2020
Supplier Experience and Compliance Manager
Liberation Distribution, Inc
08.2018 - 04.2020
Compliance Specialist/Marketing Coordinator
J. Lohr Vineyards & Wines
07.2014 - 08.2018
Compliance Account Manager
Compli, Inc
10.2013 - 07.2014
Account Manager
Parker Sanpei Lifestyle Communications
07.2012 - 10.2013
B.A - Sociology, Management
University of California