Breakthru Executive Leadership Team Embarks on Inaugural Market Tour

Mar. 17, 2016

This February, members of the Breakthru Beverage National Leadership team attended inaugural market visits across all regions. On each stop they toured facilities, met with state leaders, visited accounts and learned more about each territory’s unique business dynamics. Company leaders in attendance included Greg Baird, Danny Wirtz, Art Wirtz, Kevin Roberts, Bob Catalani, Maggie Lapcewich, Ed Callison and Jim English. Joining them in each market were the new Regional Presidents David Lockie, Kevin Dunn, Joe Marotta and Bob Drinon.  Stops included:

• Wisconsin - Regional President David Lockie and state Vice President Nate Phippen hosted CEO Greg Baird and members of the ELT for a “State of the State” presentation along with market visits of off-premise accounts and a team dinner with local leaders.
• Nevada – Regional President Joe Marotta and state Senior Vice President Scott Blazek hosted the team, members of the ELT were introduced to the huge nightlife market of Las Vegas and Reno.
• Pennsylvania - State President PJ Horgan introduced the ELT to the complexities of the market in this large control state.
• Colorado - Regional President Joe Marotta hosted and shared plans for a new state-of-the-art distribution center to be built in the next year. It will support this vibrant market and its burgeoning craft beer business.
• Maryland and Washington D.C. - Hosted by Regional President Kevin Dunn, who educated the ELT on the distinct neighboring markets. The ELT also took an in-depth look at some of the region’s industry-leading Social Responsibility efforts in partnership with University of Maryland’s Shock Trauma Treatment Program.
• Florida –Regional President Bob Drinon hosted and provided an in-depth overview of the growing market and their strategic approach to competition.
• South Carolina - Hosted by state President Sean O’Connor, the ELT attended a market presentation lead by the state’s leadership team over a delicious catered lunch of authentic Southern fare.
• Virginia - State President Dale Farino and his executive team took the ELT to survey two grocery stores and a control state’s ABC stores before traveling to the VA office for an overview of this unique control market.

“The meetings provided an opportunity for our local leaders to interact with the Executive Leadership Team and communicate first-hand knowledge and expertise of their markets. This is an important step as we continue to build our foundation,” said Bob Drinon, South Region President. “We appreciate the participation from the ELT, especially their insightful feedback and conversation.  We look forward to more networking across states, and we know our time spent together will be significant as we pursue the vision of the Breakthru brand.”  

The last legs of the trip involved visits to:

• Delaware - ELT met with Dogfish Head Brewery founder, Sam Caglione, and spent the day learning about the First State and the strong business across the state’s outsized market.
• New Jersey - The team visited with NJ President John Maslin and his team, and took a tour of this large, energetic franchise market.

"We are very grateful for the warm welcome we received from our hosts and associates across the markets,” said Breakthru Beverage Vice Chairman Danny Wirtz. “The performance and the passion our Breakthru team and partners possess was impressive. We learned a great deal from each market, gathering insights and perspectives along the way. We appreciated getting to know many of our associates who will be integral in sharing and leading our future at Breakthru.”

The ELT’s tour was the first of its kind and an integral step in the integration of best practices across the Breakthru footprint. The last leg of the tour will include Illinois and Minnesota this April.

Thanks to all who helped prepare and host these visits!