MGP Ingredients Adds Four Industry Leaders to Help Accelerate Growth
Industry veterans bring deep expertise to support MGP’s next phase of growth.
ATCHISON, Kan.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–MGP Ingredients, Inc. (Nasdaq: MGPI), a leading provider of branded and distilled spirits and food ingredient solutions, today announced four strategic leadership appointments to strengthen its commercial and marketing excellence across the enterprise. Tom Neiheisel joins as vice president, distilling solutions sales; Sol Clahane as managing director, national accounts; Marilyn Chen as brand director for Penelope Bourbon; and David Sanders as vice president of financial planning & analysis.
Together, these four strategic leadership appointments are designed to strengthen the company’s commercial and marketing excellence across Distilling Solutions, Branded Spirits and the company as a whole.
“We’re building on the strength of an exceptional team at MGP, and these additions further strengthen our leadership as we execute our long-term growth strategy,” said Julie Francis, president and CEO. “Tom, Sol, Marilyn and David each bring deep experience in commercial leadership, customer partnerships, brand building and finance. Their expertise, combined with the talented team already in place, will help us deepen customer relationships, accelerate growth across our premium portfolio and continue creating long-term value.”
Neiheisel joins MGP as vice president, distilling solutions sales, bringing more than two decades of commercial and operational excellence for Distilling Solutions. He previously held senior leadership positions at Pernod Ricard USA, Diageo and Brown-Forman across multiple functional areas, including bulk sales, contract distillation and operations. At MGP, he will lead the Distilling Solutions commercial organization, overseeing sales strategy, customer engagement and business development.
Clahane joins as managing director, national accounts, where she will lead both on- and off-premise national chain sales across MGP’s branded spirits portfolio. Taking over a scalable growth opportunity, she brings more than 30 years of commercial leadership experience in the beverage alcohol industry, including senior leadership roles at Pernod Ricard USA and Brown-Forman. In her role, she will focus on expanding strategic partnerships in underdeveloped national accounts and channels and accelerating growth across MGP’s branded spirits portfolio.
As part of MGP’s continued investment in Penelope Bourbon and the evolution of its brand team, Chen joins the company as brand director for Penelope Bourbon after serving as U.S. brand director at Suntory Global Spirits. She previously worked with spirits brands such as Jim Beam, Maker’s Mark, Basil Hayden and premium Japanese whiskies, where she led integrated marketing, innovation and brand strategy. In her new role, Chen will oversee the strategic vision for Penelope Bourbon, lead brand marketing and innovation, expand the brand ambassador program and help build new marketing capabilities on her team. Her appointment reflects MGP’s commitment to strengthening Penelope’s marketing organization and positioning the brand for continued growth as one of the spirits industry’s fastest-growing premium whiskey brands.
Sanders joins MGP as vice president of financial planning & analysis, bringing more than 18 years of finance and strategic planning experience. He previously held senior leadership positions at Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits, PEPSICO and Bimbo Bakeries, where he led financial planning, performance management and business transformation initiatives. At MGP, he will lead finance and revenue growth management across the enterprise, driving strategic planning, financial performance and long-term value creation
About MGP Ingredients, Inc.
MGP Ingredients, Inc. (Nasdaq: MGPI) has been formulating excellence since 1941 by bringing product ideas to life across the alcoholic beverage and specialty ingredient industries through three segments: Branded Spirits, Distilling Solutions, and Ingredient Solutions. MGPI is one of the leading spirits distillers, with an award-winning portfolio of premium brands, including Penelope, Rebel, Remus, and Yellowstone bourbons, and El Mayor tequila, under the Luxco umbrella. With distilleries in Indiana and Kentucky; a tequila distillery in Arandas, Mexico; and bottling operations in Missouri, Ohio, and Northern Ireland, the company creates distilled spirits for customers including many world-renowned spirits brands. In addition, the company’s high-quality specialty fiber, protein, and starch ingredients provide functional, nutritional, and sensory solutions for a wide range of food products. To learn more, visit MGPIngredients.com.
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This press release may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements reflect management’s current beliefs and estimates of future economic circumstances, industry conditions, company performance, company financial results, and company financial condition and are not guarantees of future performance. All forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially, including those factors identified in the “Risk Factors” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” sections of the Company’s Annual and Quarterly Reports on Forms 10-K and 10-Q as well as the company’s other SEC filings. The company undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements or information in this press release, except as required by law.
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KEYWORDS: Kansas United States North America
INDUSTRY KEYWORDS: Retail Restaurant/Bar Other Retail Wine & Spirits Specialty Food/Beverage
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