WASHINGTON, D.C., 06/09/2024 – It is with great sadness that Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America (WSWA) announces the passing of former WSWA Board of Directors Member Harvey Chaplin, Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits chairman.
Mr. Chaplin was a self-made visionary leader of the industry who was respected by the association’s membership and served on the WSWA Board of Directors for over 20 years. Beyond his work on WSWA’s Board, Mr. Chaplin was an active member of the association, transformational to the role distributors play with suppliers and retailers and blazed a storied professional path, spanning more than seven decades.
“Harvey Chaplin’s legendary career has inspired so many, and with his passing we celebrate his accomplishments as a wine and spirits wholesaler who’s impact on WSWA members, and the larger wine and spirits industry is monumental. The middle-tier has lost a giant, and we are saddened by his loss,” said WSWA President and CEO Francis Creighton.
“Harvey created a story book career that has been transformational to the beverage alcohol industry,” said WSWA Chairman of the Board Doug Shaw, president of M.S. Walker Inc. “Harvey will be missed and toasted by many.”
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