Southern Glazer’s Promotes Executives; Arizona Exec Retires
Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits has made enhancements to National Accounts, Customer and Trade Development, National Retail Sales, Center of Excellence and eCommerce functional units. These teams continue to evolve under the National Accounts umbrella, enabling Southern Glazer’s to remain the strategic thought partner to grow these categories and gain market share.
In addition, Tom Boyle, executive vice president and general manager of Arizona, will retire effective at the end of 2023.
“Southern Glazer’s National Accounts team’s vision is to be an indispensable and trusted partner to the company’s valued customers and deliver excellence to associated buyers, suppliers, and market teams,” said Chris Williams, executive vice president, National Accounts. “This enhanced structure enables us to provide an even more collaborative and comprehensive level of service to our partners.”
Customer and Trade Development
- Ryan Sass has been promoted to vice president, Customer and Trade Development, for National Retail Sales and On Premise. In his new role, Sass will drive supplier relations and closely manage the Company’s NRS business with the support of Customer Development category experts. Sass will report to Chris Williams.
eCommerce
- Robyne Eldridge has been appointed vice president, Omni Channel Development.She will continue to lead B2C deliverables for digital first, eCommerce Business Priorities development and supplier integration. Reporting to Eldridge will beSam Raia, senior director, Omni Channel Development;DarShanna Smith senior director, Amazon; Sarah Twitchell, director, Liquor Channel;Brennan Duke, director,(Mass/Club/Drug); and Jennifer Bailein, director, Grocery. Eldridge will report to Chris Williams.
National Retail Sales (NRS)
- JR Allen has been promoted to vice president, NRS Commercial Operations. In his new role, he will work directly with each region’s Senior Vice President, Commercial Operations, with a focus on forecasting, inventory and execution. He will report to Scott Moore, senior vice president, National Accounts Off Premise.
- Nicole Nottinghamhas been appointed to senior director, GoBrands. She will strengthen and foster national strategy and connect with NRS supplier planning process Customer Business Priorities. She will report to Scott Moore.
Center of Excellence (COE)
- Adam Byrne has been appointed vice president, Customer Planning and Development COE. The COE will focus on “Elevate,” the company’s program that offers customers branded merchandising recommendations, large and small format channel development and Southern Glazer’s unique suite of Retail Joint Business Planning process and tools. Byrne recently joined the company and will report to Chris Williams.
Boyle is a longtime Southern Glazer’s employee.
“During his 40-year tenure, Tom has made a tremendous positive impact on the success of the company, as well as the professional success of our employees,” said John Wittig, chief commercial officer. “His best-in-class leadership has made him a role model in Arizona and beyond. We’ll miss him greatly and will forever appreciate his many contributions to the company.”
“Tom’s exceptional dedication to fostering a workplace culture where authenticity thrives has been a true cornerstone of Arizona’s success,” commented Patrick Daul, president, West Region. “In addition to this, his commitment to innovation transformed the market into a hub for pioneering pilot programs, from industry-leading electric vehicle testing to the introduction of a unique convenience store concept. These contributions have positioned us at the forefront of progress, leaving an indelible mark for years to come.”
In 1983, Boyle began his career in beverage alcohol as a salesperson for Southern Wine and Spirits in San Diego. After years of hard work expanding the company’s supplier portfolio, Boyle was promoted to on-premise division manager in 1989. Shortly after, Boyle led Southern Wine and Spirits in entering its fourth market in Arizona, where he served as Southern Arizona branch manager.
After helping lead significant growth for the business and working in roles of increasing responsibility, Boyle accepted the position of general sales manager of Arizona and spent the next 18 years working alongside Michael Jahn and the Arizona team to make Southern Wine and Spirits the number one distributor in Arizona. Upon Jahn’s retirement in 2019, Boyle stepped into his most recent role as executive vice president and general manager of Arizona.
“As Tom embarks on a new chapter in life, we express our deep appreciation for his service and wish him a retirement filled with much happiness and health,” said Wayne E. Chaplin, chief executive officer. “His legacy will continue to inspire us, and his presence will be missed.”
An announcement for Boyle’s replacement will be forthcoming. Boyle will remain on the team to ensure a seamless transition and support the leader who will be replacing him.
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Truffle Avenue Extols Romanian Delicacy in US eCommerce
In a strategic shift in the culinary landscape, Truffle Avenue has launched its U.S.-based website—a platform for customers to select from various top-quality truffles and have them delivered directly to their home or business. The company challenges the conventional focus on Italian truffles, introducing food enthusiasts and chefs to the diverse and untapped world of Romanian truffles.
The Truffle Avenue website aims to facilitate a direct connection between truffle hunters and consumer guaranteeing premium quality and authentic flavor profiles distinct to the Romanian terrain.
Truffle Avenue’s website delivers transparency and quality to customers. It enables users to explore and order varying types, weights, and sizes of hand-picked, fresh black and white truffles, all from unique climatic and soil conditions.
The launch of Truffle Avenue’s website is a stride towards reshaping perceptions and nurturing appreciation for the rich, varied, and undiscovered truffle-producing regions of Eastern Europe. It debunks the entrenched belief in the exclusivity of Italian truffles, highlighting the distinctive flavors of Romanian truffles.
Horatiu’s mission also serves to recognize the diligent and highly skilled Romanian truffle hunters, spotlighting the untold stories and immense efforts invested in sourcing this delicacy.
Truffle Avenue brings a fresh perspective to the food industry and offers a chance for gourmands to explore new culinary territories.
“In gastronomy, an ingredient’s journey is as crucial as its flavor,” said Horatiu Terpe, founder.
In recent years, the demand to buy fresh truffles has amplified. As this continues, exploration of diverse produce markets is paramount. Truffle Avenue is strategically positioned to meet this growing demand, pioneering a model that ensures truffles are harvested post-order, and truffle delivery occurs overnight to retain maximum flavor for customers.
Truffle Avenue promises the freshest and most premium truffles at competitive prices, linking discerning palates to authentic Romanian truffles and establishing Romania as a crucial contender in the global truffle market. The website’s launch paves the way for households and businesses across America to have easy access to quality Romanian truffles.
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Quirch Foods Opens Distributing Facility in South
Quirch Foods, LLC, a leading provider of high-quality food products, celebrated the grand opening of its distribution center that will service the Tennessee and Kentucky area. This facility is strategically located to cater to this region, bolstering the company’s commitment to exceptional customer service and timely delivery of fresh and frozen protein items as well as a collection of well-known retail brands including Panamei Seafood, High River Angus, Mambo Foods, Chiquita Brands frozen Tropicals and Fruits, among others.
“Our new distribution center is a testament to our dedication to providing our valued customers in Tennessee and Kentucky with prompt and reliable access to our wide array of premium food products,” said Frank Grande, president and CEO of Quirch Foods. “We are excited about the positive impact this expansion will have on our operational capabilities and, ultimately, our ability to better serve our customers as well as provide solutions to their growing food needs.”
In addition to enhancing our distribution capabilities and ensuring efficiency throughout our supply chain, the 65,000 square foot facility will create job opportunities in the local community, promoting economic growth and contributing to the region’s prosperity. The company believes in fostering positive relationships with its neighbors and actively engaging with the communities it serves. This investment represents a significant milestone in our mission to meet the growing demand for its products.
Quirch Foods is a food distribution company servicing ethnic, independent, and national grocers as well as foodservice and other customers across the United States, the Caribbean, and Central and South America. Quirch Foods operates approximately 500 refrigerated trucks and over 2.3 million square feet of combined distribution space through 21 facilities in Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, Tennessee, Alabama, Texas, Washington, Oklahoma, Oregon and Puerto Rico.
Quirch Foods is the exclusive distributor of High River Angus, McKinneys Beef, Panamei Seafood, Diamond Reef Seafood, Kikiriquirch poultry, Mambo Foods, and is a licensed distributor of Certified Angus Beef and Chiquita Brands frozen Tropicals and Fruits.
To learn more, visit Quirch Foods online, follow Quirch Foods (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn), or call (800) 458-5252.
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