WhistlePig CEO Jeff Kozak Stepping Down After 10 Years

WhistlePig Whiskey has announced the departure of CEO Jeff Kozak after a 10-year tenure at the company. Stepping into the role of interim CEO is Marty Birkel, an industry veteran with experience at Constellation Brands and Gallo, and a current member of WhistlePig’s board. Birkel will guide the company while its board, led by co-founder and chairman Wilco Faessen, conducts a search for Kozak’s permanent replacement. Kozak is stepping away from WhistlePig to pursue other business opportunities.

“The Board of Directors is grateful for Jeff’s contributions over the past 10 years, which have helped establish WhistlePig as a distinctive leader in the super premium American whiskey category and grow our company to over $100mm in sales,” said Faessen. “We see great opportunities ahead of us, including in route to market with our recently established national partnership with Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits, as well as on the product and brand equity building and awareness side.” Known for upscale rye whiskey, WhistlePig is minority-owned by Moët Hennessy, which took a stake in the Vermont-based company in 2020.—Shane English

Tagged : Moet Hennessy, WhistlePig

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