The Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America (WSWA), the nation’s leading trade association representing the wholesale tier of the U.S. beverage alcohol industry, elected its 2016-2017 officers during the WSWA 73rd Annual Convention & Exposition held last week in Las Vegas.
Incoming Chairman of the Board is Doug Epstein of Horizon Beverage Group, Norton, Mass. Vice Chairman is Carmine Martignetti of Martignetti Companies, Norwood, Mass. Senior Vice President is Barkley Stuart of Glazer’s, Dallas, Texas. Syd Ross of Great Lakes Wine & Spirits, Highland Park, Mich., is Vice President.
Other officers include Secretary Danny Wirtz of Breakthru Beverage Group, Chicago, Ill., and Treasurer Chris Underwood of Young’s Market Company, Tustin, Calif. Past Chairman Brien Fox of Henry A. Fox Sales Company, Grand Rapids, Mich., also serves as an officer.
The 2016-2016 Executive Committee includes three at-large representatives: Paul Powell of American Premium Beverage, Colfax, N.C., on behalf of Leadership Caucus A; and Andy Crisses of Breakthru Beverage Group, New York, N.Y., and Steven Becker of Southern Wine & Spirits, Miami, Fla., on behalf of Leadership Caucus B.
“WSWA is stronger and more engaged than ever, and our success is a direct result of the time, energy and financial support of our diverse leadership,” said WSWA President and CEO Craig Wolf. “Under the guidance of Chairman Epstein and the entire Executive Committee, we are poised to tackle a host of issues facing wholesalers in state capitals and at the federal level in the days ahead,” he added.
A detailed biography on incoming Chairman Doug Epstein is available here.
WSWA is the national trade association representing the wholesale tier of the wine and spirits industry, dedicated to advancing the interests and independence of wholesalers, distributors and brokers of wine and spirits. Founded in 1943, WSWA has 379 member companies in 50 states and the District of Columbia, and its members distribute more than 80 percent of all wine and spirits sold at wholesale in the United States. More information is available at www.wswa.org.