Breakthru Beverage is Driving Success for Suppliers through the Right Mix of Commercial Talent

Jun. 12, 2017

Breakthru Beverage Group has brought several of its seasoned commercial leaders together onto one team under the leadership of EVP Kevin Roberts to drive even greater performance in our markets through enhanced communication and collaboration with our suppliers. 

 

The team’s diverse backgrounds are rich in distributor and supplier experience and will be key to their focus on driving outstanding performance at the local level. Joining the team is Carrie Bach, VP Supplier Development Spirits as well as Jeff Roth,VP Supplier Development, Beer/Wine/Spirits. Additionally, Steve Conroy’s role has expanded to VP Supplier Development Spirits. 

 

 

Jeff Roth, VP Supplier Development, Beer/Wine/Spirits

Jeff Roth began his career in the alcohol beverage industry in Maryland with Reliable Churchill, the predecessor to Breakthru Beverage Maryland. He later moved to E&J Gallo Winery where he served as Marketing Manager for Rhode Island and Connecticut before joining Wine Merchants of Connecticut as Director of On Premise Sales. Jeff next moved to Peerless Importers in New York before joining Empire Merchants. In 2011, he joined Wirtz Beverage Illinois where his last role was Vice President, Vanguard and Craft Beer before assuming the same position with Breakthru Beverage Illinois.

 

 

Carrie Bach, VP Supplier Development Spirits

Carrie Bach has 25 years of marketing, sales, commercial development and strategy experience. Her most recent position was Vice President Marketing Communications for Breakthru where she oversaw Breakthru’s Digital Integration Team. Prior to Breakthru, Carrie held several sales director, trade development, marketing and strategic planning roles for Wirtz Beverage Group. Before moving to Wirtz, she spent 18 years in various sales and marketing leadership roles with Diageo, Sara Lee and Kellogg’s. Carrie will focus on a portfolio of Breakthru’s key spirits suppliers.

 

Steve Conroy, VP Supplier Development Spirits 

Steve Conroy has been with Breakthru for more than 25 years, most recently serving as Vice President of Business Development where he supported the sales, innovation and marketing efforts of key supplier portfolios across the Breakthru Beverage network. In this role, Steve served as Breakthru’s primary point of contact for the Diageo/Möet Hennessy business and then Proximo. Additionally, Steve served as the General Manager of the dedicated Diageo/Möet Hennessy Division for Breakthru Beverage Maryland. He led the division for eight years. Steve will be the liaison to a group of key Breakthru spirits suppliers.

 

Drew Levinson, VP Supplier Development Craft & Emerging Spirits

Drew oversees the national strategy and execution of the Breakthru’s emerging and craft brands segment and the newly-formed Trident Division. He has more than 18 years of experience in the beverage industry including operations roles at both the Bellagio Resort & Casino and Borgata Hotel & Casino in New Jersey. He began his employment at Wirtz Beverage Nevada nearly nine years ago where he initiated the Beverage Development Program for the company which has now expanded into multiple states.

 

Lou Muzi, VP Supplier Development, Gallo

Lou Muzi has 20 years’ industry experience spent primarily with Breakthru Beverage Florida’s predecessor, Premier Beverage. His roles at Premier included General Sales Manager and as Division Manager focused at different times on Hotel and Restaurant Wine, Hotel and Restaurant Spirits and Grocery. He has held his current role as Vice President Supplier Development since 2014 but will now report to EVP Kevin Roberts. Prior to joining Premier, Lou was an Area Sales Manager for E. & J. Gallo Winery in North Carolina and South Carolina.

 

Rick Slaughter, VP Supplier Development Brown-Forman

Rick has more than 30 years’ industry experience. He began his career as a sales representative for Churchill Distributors in Maryland, one of the predecessor companies that ultimately became Breakthru Beverage Maryland, and moved into roles of increasing responsibility, including Field Sales Manager, Fine Wine Manager, Director of On-Premise Sales, Vice President/Director of Wine Sales and Marketing and Senior Vice President, General Sales Manager. Rick assumed his most recent role as Vice President of Business Development, Brown-Forman in 2014. He will now report to EVP Kevin Roberts.

 

Steve Somers, VP Supplier Development, Wine

Steve Somers has more than 20 years of industry experience. He began his career with B & G Wholesalers in Nashville before moving to Premier Beverage in Florida, part of The Charmer Sunbelt Group. He was later promoted to Hotel Catering Manager and then Field Sales Manager. After relocating to California, Steve joined Chambers & Chambers and then returned to The Charmer Sunbelt Group as Director of Fine Wine. He was later promoted to Vice President Wine and has been in that position until this appointment. Steve will be on point for a number of Breakthru’s key wine suppliers.