WASHINGTON, D.C., 07/20/2022 – Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America (WSWA) is pleased to announce the appointment of four new Council for Leadership Development (CLD) committee members: Will Fix, Operations Project Manager, Breakthru Beverage Group; Amy Kickham, Vice President, Organizational Effectiveness, Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits; Justin Shaw, Vice President, M.S. Walker, Inc.; and Joe Starnes, Vice President, Operations, Lipman Brothers, LLC.
These four individuals will serve in leadership roles on the CLD Committee for a minimum of two years and up to six years. They join Lacey Sadoff, Robert Becker, Sara Harmelin, Megan Iaccino, and Alan Rosenberg as officers.
“I am thrilled to have Will, Amy, Justin and Joe join the committee. Their combined expertise and industry knowledge will elevate, amplify and advance the work of CLD and the support it offers NextGen leaders and rising leaders in the wholesale tier,” said Lacey Sadoff, incoming CLD Chairwoman, Badger Liquor Co., Fond Du Lac, WI.
The new committee members were elected by their peers during the 2022 NextGen Leaders’ Summit and CLD Conference that took place last week in St. Louis. Shaw and Fix were elected as part of the NextGen Leaders’ Summit; Starnes and Kickham were elected during the CLD portion of the conference.
“As a member of a family-owned business—and a newer member of WSWA—I am honored to serve on this committee. I look forward to getting more involved with the association and building relationships with my peers,” said Shaw. “I am also a member of the Access Craft advisory council and look forward to incorporating my CLD involvement with the craft supplier side. In all aspects of our industry, there are promising signs for the future,” he added.
“As a next generation leader, involvement with CLD will provide immense value for my career as I continue to build relationships with my peers in our industry,” said Fix. “No other industry event brings together this many next generation leaders within the wholesale tier. I can’t wait to get started.”
“I have participated in CLD for a few years now and I am thrilled to join as an officer,” said Starnes. “Each year the CLD conference provides me invaluable education and insights that I can bring back to enrich my team at Lipman Brothers, I hope to bring my experiences from the Operations side of the business to enhance the committee. I look forward to working with my peers to plan and execute future conferences, networking events and educational opportunities,” he added.
“With my background in Human Resources, I am confident my career knowledge will add value to the committee. It’s an honor to have been selected for this role,” said Kickham. “Now, more than ever, we need to assist others to learn, network and advance in their roles so we can retain and grow top tier talent in the wholesale tier. CLD programming helps us further that goal.”
The Council for Leadership Development was created over 60 years ago to educate and advance rising leaders in WSWA wholesaler member companies. The annual conference is planned by a committee comprised of member wholesaler volunteers who work with WSWA staff to help:
- Build and educational foundation of essential policy, legislative, regulatory, marketing and trend information needed to advance attendees' careers.
- Provide opportunities to make connections with wholesaler, supplier and service provider peers as well as current industry leaders, speakers, panelists and the WSWA staff/leadership team.
- Enhance leadership, technology and management skills, industry fundamental knowledge, and more.
About Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America
WSWA is the national trade association representing the distribution tier of the wine and spirits industry, dedicated to advancing the interests and independence of distributors and brokers of wine and spirits. Founded in 1943, WSWA has more than 380 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.
To learn more, please visit www.wswa.org or connect with us on Facebook or Twitter.
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