- Louisville, KY
- March 23, 2021
Andy is an innovative C-level corporate officer with extensive consumer product experience, particularly in domestic and international beverage alcohol industry, both in corporate and entrepreneurial environments. Andy has proven success in all aspects of sales and marketing management, with expertise ranging from full P&L administration, to brand creation, launch and turnaround, to coordination of ancillary market research, advertising, digital media and e-commerce activities. Andy has been extremely effective in developing and leading high performance teams, operating within complex distribution systems (e.g., three-tier system), overseeing vendors and suppliers, and communicating directly with business owners and boards. Andy is known for his strong interpersonal skills and collaborative style, while also delivering results.
Andy most recently started, the MGP Brands division, from scratch, building the team, its portfolio, all systems and processes, while launching and scaling the business and leading the doubling of revenues annually. In this role, Andy has been "chief cook and bottle washer",
representing MGP as a division Leader and corporate officer, and leading sales, marketing, financial and strategic functions.
Education
General management degree with emphasis on Accounting and Marketing
Graduated with honors from The University of Virginia. Studied Philosophy and Government.
Captain, Varsity Crew
Experience
Develop, launch and lead brands organization for MGP
• Creating full-spectrum spirits portfolio and organization, including sales and marketing processes, distributor go-to-market strategies and consumer branding systems with full P&L responsibility
• Developed/acquired nine award-winning brands to date: TILL American Wheat Vodka, Eight & Sand Blended Bourbon Whiskey, Tanner’s Creek Blended Bourbon Whiskey, George Remus Straight Bourbon Whiskey, Remus Repeal Reserve Straight Bourbon Whiskey, Volstead Reserve Bottled-in-Bond Straight Bourbon Whiskey, Rossville Union Master Crafted Straight Rye Whiskey, Rossville Union Barrel Proof Straight Rye Whiskey, Green Hat Gin
• Initiated and led acquisition of New Columbia Distillers, Washington, DC (Green Hat Gin)
• Portfolio currently selling in 18 states, averaging over 50% annual depletion growth
Directed staff of 50 professionals, including sales, marketing, operations and finance with full P&L responsibility
• Led turn-around and growth for $50M in North American business
• Created and built craft spirit portfolio while also successfully launching and acquiring five new brands in three years
• Grew revenues by 30% within three years and delivered first profitability for company
• Achieved 80% improvement in operating income first year
• Created channel-specific sales team to improve sales in over 100 national and regional accounts, resulting in 25% CAGR in top 25 US chains
• Developed full suite of business enterprise applications for sales force, resulting in 70% increase in depletions
Held numerous roles and responsibilities throughout 12 year career:
SVP, Managing Director, Brand and Region Integration 2006-2007
Led company-wide reorganization of wines and spirits divisions
• Managed seven direct reports and 15 external consultants
• Designed and deployed new national and regional account strategies and processes for new organizational structure
• Created first comprehensive, integrated planning system for company by leading integration of process, technology and organization across all functional areas
SVP, Managing Director, Central Division 2004-2006
Led sales and marketing activities for domestic and international wine division
• Territories of responsibility included: Central US, Canada, Japan, Brazil and Caribbean
• Increased total volume over 20% and operating income in excess of 25% in first year
• Developed comprehensive go-to-market strategy and process for division that was subsequently adopted by the entire Wine Group
VP, Global Director 1997-2004
Succession of responsibilities leading Imported and California wine portfolios
• Directed global marketing activities of various portfolios, leading staffs of up to 15 marketing and sales professionals
• Grew total annual depletion volume of California portfolio to over five million cases and gross sales exceeding $300M
• Developed Sonoma-Cutrer Pinot Noir with winery team, resulting in first red wine offering for brand and 100% sell-out of first vintage
• Led repositioning of Korbel California Champagne, resulting in 30% growth in less than three years
AVP, Global Director 1995-1997
Marketing and business leader for Italian wines portfolio
• Led global repositioning of Bolla Italian wines, resulting in 100% growth in less than four years
• Grew imported wines portfolio to over two million 9L cases in four years