E. Lloyd Sobel Joins Breakthru Beverage Group as EVP, Commercial Development
Nov. 8, 2016
NEW YORK (Nov. 7, 2016) — Breakthru Beverage Group today announced the addition of industry veteran E. Lloyd Sobel to its Executive Leadership Team, effective immediately.
Sobel, who most recently served as CEO/President of Empire Merchants, is joining Breakthru as Executive Vice President, Commercial Development. He will be based in Breakthru’s New York City office and report to CEO & President Greg Baird. In this role, Sobel will lead the development of strategic business processes that enhance Breakthru’s overall efficiency and productivity.
Baird said, “It’s an honor to have Lloyd become part of the Breakthru Beverage Group family. He is someone that we, along with so many others in our industry, have come to admire for his leadership and integrity.” Baird added, “I know that I speak for our co-chairs, Charlie Merinoff and Rocky Wirtz, as well as Vice Chair Danny Wirtz, and all of our executives and associates, in saying that we are very excited to have Lloyd on our team.”
Sobel commented, “I am absolutely thrilled to join an organization that appreciates and respects an employee's core set of values and the skill set they bring with them from their past accomplishments. I thank the ownership and leadership of Breakthru Beverage Group for this tremendous opportunity."
Sobel’s career in the wine and spirits industry began nearly 40 years ago at Joseph E. Seagram & Sons where he held roles in market research, sales, marketing and administration. In 1994, Sobel moved to Charmer Industries to run the Seagram business and subsequently was responsible for numerous divisions and initiatives before being named President of Charmer Industries-Metro N.Y. Following the merger of Charmer Industries and Peerless Importers, he was named CEO/President of the new organization named Empire Merchants.
About Breakthru Beverage Group
Breakthru Beverage was formed by joining the substantial holdings of The Charmer Sunbelt Group and Wirtz Beverage Group and is one of the nation’s leading wholesale distributors of wine, spirit and beer brands. The company has operations across the US and Canada,