John Esposito Named Chairman At WhistlePig

Up-and-coming Vermont-based craft player WhistlePig has made a number of new appointments across its board and executive team. Among the moves, industry veteran John Esposito has been named chairman of WhistlePig’s board of managers.

Esposito was formerly president of Bacardi USA, Moët Hennessy USA, and Stoli Group USA. Later, he led High West Distillery, which Constellation acquired for $160 million in 2016. In his new role as chairman of WhistlePig, he replaces Roland van Bommel, who remains a shareholder in the company.

Also joining WhistlePig’s board are former Constellation Brands chief sales officer Marty Birkel, and Reza Sultan, principal of BDT Capital Partners, which recently made a minority investment in WhistlePig.

WhistlePig, known for its high-end rye whiskies, has also appointed Barnaby Hawken as chief sales officer. A veteran of Pernod Ricard, The Wine Group, and Allied Beverage, Hawken was most recently national sales manager for Swish Beverages. Joining Hawken on the executive team is Jason Newell, as chief marketing officer. Newell was formerly chief of marketing at Rossignol Group North America for 25 years.—Daniel Marsteller

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