Southern Glazer’s Promotes Kenrick to President of West Region
Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits—the world’s preeminent distributor of beverage alcohol—has promoted Lewis Kenrick to the role of president, West Region, effective March 1.
In his most recent role, Kenrick served as executive vice president, general manager of California. He will now report to John Wittig, Chief Commercial Officer, and is filling the position of Patrick Daul who recently announced his retirement. As President, West Region, Kenrick will be responsible for leading all business activities in Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, Washington, Arizona, New Mexico, California, Nevada, and Hawaii.
“Lewis’ commercial leadership experience in California, our largest market, helps make him the ideal successor for our sizeable West Region,” said Wittig. “I am confident that he will build on Patrick’s great leadership and continue to drive success for customers and suppliers well into the future.”
In 2008, Kenrick commenced his career at Southern Wine & Spirits, pioneering Trade Development for Chains across California. He soon stepped into roles of increasing responsibility, including Pacific Wine & Spirits vice president, sales manager for chains in 2010, followed by his appointment to vice president, general manager, PWS of California in 2013. In his next role as executive vice president, general manager, PWS of California and Hawaii, Kenrick led a dedicated division of over 500 sales professionals representing the prestigious portfolios of Diageo, Moët Hennessy USA, and Nolet Spirits. Prior to his tenure at Southern Glazer’s, Kenrick honed his expertise at Diageo, with roles at Chateau & Estates in Napa, Calif., and later in the National Account organization.
An announcement for Lewis Kenrick’s successor will be forthcoming.
Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits is the world’s preeminent distributor of beverage alcohol, building brands for moments that matter. The multi-generational, family-owned company has operations in 44 U.S. states, the District of Columbia, and Canada, as well as brokerage operations through its WEBB Banks division in the Caribbean, Central and South America. Southern Glazer’s urges all retail customers and adult consumers to market, sell, serve, and enjoy its products responsibly. For more information visit www.southernglazers.com. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @sgwinespirits.
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Arctic Glacier Adds to Senior Leadership Team
Arctic Glacier, North America’s leading manufacturer and distributor of premium ice products and services, announces the appointment of three new senior leadership team members including CFO, CIO and the newly created role of general counsel. The ice industry is primed for significant growth given robust economic indicators and shifting consumer behaviors, and Arctic Glacier is leading the way as a key-market player. With a growth-minded, performance-based culture that is setting the pace for future growth within the ice industry, and Arctic Glacier is the fastest-growing brand and only one seeing year-over-year increases.
The newly appointed Senior Leadership Team members are:
General Counsel Travis Bonnell
Bonnell offers extensive, international industrial experience providing real practical solutions to business, finance, and legal challenges to executive leadership in highly regulated and complex compliance environments. In the newly created role of general counsel, Bonnell will be the senior legal advisor to Arctic Glacier, acting as the in-house legal representative, Prior to joining Arctic Glacier, Bonnell previously held several executive leadership roles with Rehab Industries where he was responsible for the development and execution of the company’s organic and inorganic growth initiatives.
Chief Information Officer Doug Saunders
Saunders is an expert in leading business-critical, complex, high-profile global initiatives, programs, and multi-functional projects. He is focused on driving sound, strategic solutions in practical phased steps, achieving results within a contemporary budget-conscious and control-aware framework. Saunders will lead all IT functions while providing the vision, strategy, and tactics to transform and upgrade the company’s IT applications and the business processes impacted by those changes. Prior to joining Arctic Glacier, Saunders was chief information officer for Sweeping Corporation of America where he implemented SalesForce for 70+ locations in addition to managing security strategy, infrastructure services, and mergers & acquisitions.
Chief Financial Officer Stephanie Choudri
Choudri brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise as a senior-level finance executive. She most recently served as a partner with CFGI’s New York office where she provided accounting, consulting, and interim management services to clients in a variety of industries. She also held the roles of managing director and senior manager. Prior to working at CFGI, she was the chief financial officer at DuJour Media Group, LLC. Choudri is skilled at technical and operational accounting assistance in areas that include revenue recognition, share-based compensation, business combinations, debt modifications, and complex equity and financing arrangements. Choudri will be focused on implementing business controls and process improvements.
“With this enhanced and energetic Senior Leadership Team, I know we have the right people, with the right combination of skills in the right positions to make a big impact to realize our objectives”, said Chief Executive Officer Peter Laport. “I am confident with their sharp operational and financial focus, deep technical and industry expertise, and proven leadership capabilities, our new leaders are adding value to an already stellar team.”
Arctic Glacier’s new Senior Leadership Team’s depth of experience and wealth of knowledge will be pivotal in driving continued growth. These experienced business leaders will continue to support the organization’s world-class talent and commitment to its customers.
Arctic Glacier Premium Ice is the premier provider of high-quality, premium ice products serving North America. For over 140 years the company has perfected the art of ice making, best-in-class service, food safety and reliable logistics. Today Arctic Glacier produces and delivers over 2.5 billion pounds annually of premium ice products to supermarkets, mass merchants, c-stores, dollar stores, gas stations, and liquor stores, as well other commercial and industrial businesses. Arctic Glacier services over 75,000 customers from production facilities, warehouses and distribution centers across the United States and Canada.
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Chicken of the Sea Frozen Foods Announces Leadership Roles
Photo: Chicken of the Sea
Chicken of the Sea Frozen Foods has announced the appointment of three new leaders and a promotion within its commercial organization. The company is excited to welcome these industry experts who bring customer-centric expertise to ensure COSFF remains at the forefront of the ever-evolving seafood industry.
Tiffany Hicks has been hired as senior vice president, foodservice and wholesale. Hicks will lead the teams servicing broadline, national/multi-unit chains, industrial and wholesale customers. Before joining COSFF, she led foodservice at Bumble Bee Foods and Danone North America, along with a diverse background in general management and retail roles while at PepsiCo and Pepsi Bottling Group. Hicks is a Society of Fellow’s member at the prestigious Culinary Institute of America since 2022. Tiffany will report to Brenden Beck, executive vice president sales & marketing.
Joining COSFF as senior director consumer, Amanda Duran will oversee club channel activity as well as have key account responsibilities in the retail channel. Before joining COSFF, Duran served as chief revenue officer at Grass Fed Foods and Teton Waters Ranch. In this new role, Duran will also report to Beck.
Seafood veteran Sonia Merges has joined COSFF as sales manager in the foodservice/wholesale channel. Merges started her seafood career with Empress International, prior to the 2009 merger with COSFF. Most recently Merges served as an account manager at Crystal Cove Seafood. Merges will be working across the foodservice/wholesale channel and reporting to Hicks.
“We pride ourselves on our customer relationships and team – both have been crucial in positioning COSFF as a leader in the industry,” said Beck. “We are excited to welcome these talented professionals to further strengthen our organization, expertise and service.”
Additionally, Michael Richards has been promoted to senior vice president, commercial/category and has taken on expanded responsibilities overseeing activities in crab meat and finfish categories, as well as leading the retail channel team.
COSFF is at the forefront of the industry, supporting parent company Thai Union’s pioneering sustainability strategy and market-leading innovation. In addition to these leadership changes, the organization has invested in various sustainability initiatives, and built the most developed quality assurance network in the industry. To learn more, visit b2b.chickenofthesea.com.
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