Breakthru and Brown-Forman Leaders Meet in Vail

Sep. 2, 2016

For the first time, top leaders from Breakthru Beverage Group and Brown-Forman came together for a summit held July 7 - 9 in Vail, CO. Attendees included Breakthru’s Co-Chairman Charlie Merinoff, Chief Operating Officer Greg Baird, Executive Vice President Bob Catalani as well many other regional presidents and key state leaders for Breakthru. Brown-Forman was represented by North American President Mike Keyes and his division and territory leadership teams from around the country. This inaugural meeting facilitated conversation between the two companies, with attendees sharing ideas for the future and aligning on key priorities.

The meeting also served as a chance to hand out some well-deserved honors to Breakthru Beverage state teams for their work to make Breakthru the single largest customer for Brown-Forman worldwide. Breakthru Beverage Florida took home the Heavyweight Distributor of the Year Award and Wisconsin won the Middleweight Distributor of the year.

Left to right: Breakthru Southern Regional President Bob Drinon, Executive Vice President Eric Pfeil, Brown-Forman Territory Manager Chris Wiseman and Brown-Forman President North America Mike Keyes

Left to right: Breakthru Midwest Regional President David Lockie and Brown-Forman Division Director Joel Elmer

Both awards included a $10,000 charitable donation on behalf of the states.

Night two of the summit included an award ceremony for the prestigious 1870 Society. Every year associates from all levels of both Brown-Forman and Breakthru Beverage Group are inducted into The Society for outstanding contributions to our Brown-Forman North American Whiskey Business. Winning the award includes recognition at the Presidents’ meeting, a long weekend for two at an exclusive luxury resort and a custom-designed gold ring signifying membership in this select group. The FY 2016 inductees were:

Ashley Carispodi: On Premise Whiskey Manager, Brown-Forman
Darren Balch: ADS, Breakthru Beverage Florida
Jason Keen: Chain Manager, Breakthru Beverage Florida
Jason Parsons: ADS, Breakthru Beverage Pennsylvania
Colin Campbell: Premium Whiskey Market Manager, Brown-Forman
Jeremy Johnson: Trade Marketing Manager, Breakthru Beverage Arizona
Joe Ransier: FSM, Breakthru Beverage Colorado
Loraine Abreu: ADS, Breakthru Beverage New Jersey
Mike Neef: Sales Representative, Breakthru Beverage Delaware
Neil Amin: Chain Manager, Brown-Forman
Nikki Rucci: Sales Representative, Maryland
Vince Waldron: Division Manager, Breakthru Beverage Virginia
Dave Stewart: On Premise Manager, Brown-Forman
Steve Cardellicchio: Sales Process Manager, Brown-Forman
Lisa Faccio: Vice President of Marketing, Breakthru Beverage Arizona

Five two-time winners were also named at the ceremony:

Jeff Mangold: FSM, Breakthru Beverage Virginia
Kyle Rivera: Regional On Premise Account Manager, Breakthru Beverage Florida
Louis Lopez: Chain Manager, Breakthru Beverage Florida
Melissa Calabro: FSM, Breakthru Beverage South Carolina
Lokesh Jaiswal: Sales Representative, Breakthru Beverage DC

Congratulations to all of our Brown-Forman teams nationwide for all that they did to earn these awards.