News Briefs for November 14, 2023

•Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits has appointed Mike McLaughlin as chief transformation officer, effective February 2024. In his new role, McLaughlin will take charge of North Star, Southern Glazer’s modernization program, aimed at transforming and standardizing company processes and technology use for both the business and its customers. McLaughlin will report to SGWS CEO Wayne Chaplin. McLaughlin has most recently served as SGWS regional president, central region. In total, McLaughlin has over 30 years in the wine and spirits business.

•Breakthru Beverage Group has named new executive vice presidents for two of its largest markets: Jeff Ortmeier in Florida, effective today, and Tandy Harvey in California, effective December 1. Ortmeier has 20 years’ experience in field sales and operations with Coca-Cola, while Harvey has spent her 30-year career with grocery wholesaler and retailer Supervalu and later UNFI, which acquired Supervalu in 2018. Breakthru’s Florida unit has revenues projected at $1.5 billion for 2023, according to Shanken’s Impact Newsletter. In California the company is in its first year of business, after acquiring $800 million player Wine Warehouse earlier this year.

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