Southern Wine & Spirits of America Appoints Bridget Albert as its First National Director of Education for Beam Suntory
Role Responsibilities Include Coordination of Beam Suntory Brand Knowledge and Compliance
MIAMI, Oct. 5, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Southern Wine & Spirits of America, Inc., the largest wine and spirits distributor in the U.S., today announced it has appointed Bridget Albert, a 20-year industry veteran and James Beard honoree, to the new role of National Director of Education, Beam Suntory. As the first national director of education, Albert will lead the overall coordination of Beam Suntory brand knowledge—including Jim Beam® Bourbon, Maker's Mark Whisky, Pinnacle Vodka, Midori Liquer, Sauza® Tequila, among other well-known brands—and compliance throughout the Southern Wine & Spirits of America enterprise.
"Beam Suntory is the world's third-largest premium spirits company, and our brand portfolio includes many of the most recognizable names with the most storied history in the spirit industry," said Philip Raimondo, senior manager, global brand education for Beam Suntory. "We trust Bridget Albert's industry experience, knowledge and passion, and we look forward to working with her to further educate the Southern Wine & Spirits salesforce about the defining characteristics of each unique Beam Suntory brand."
For the last three years, Albert has served as the regional director of mixology in Illinois, Kentucky and Minnesota, and is the founder of the National Charity Foundation of the United States Bartenders' Guild, the world's largest contributor to the cocktail culture.
"I had the pleasure of working with Bridget to build the Midwest mixology and educational excellence programs and am thrilled to join forces again," said Mary Barranco, vice president, national director of training for Southern Wine & Spirits of America. "Having known and admired Bridget for nearly two decades, I am excited for the boundless enthusiasm and industry wisdom she'll spread throughout the organization."
Over the course of her 20-year career, Albert, co-author of "Market Fresh Mixology," has earned a number of accolades, including:
- Worldwide Mentor of the Year, Top 4 Contender: Tales of the Cocktail, 2015
- National Sustaining a Community Award: Share Our Strength, 2013
- Good Eating Award: Chicago Tribune, 2011
- Top Mixologist in the Nation Honoree: James Beard Award, 2009
"Bridget is a respected member of the wine and spirits industry, and we're delighted to leverage her unique qualifications, deep-rooted relationships and extensive industry knowledge in the National Director of Education-Beam Suntory role," said Tony Truzzolino, Southern Wine & Spirits senior vice president of sales for Beam Suntory and joint director of education. "In her new role, Bridget will focus on e-learning via the 'Virtual Spirits' program, Beam-Suntory's premium portfolio, salesforce execution, mixology and educational innovation, and major trade events and influencers."
Albert's new role was effective Sept. 1, 2015.
About Southern Wine & Spirits of America, Inc.
Southern Wine & Spirits of America, Inc. is the nation's largest wine and spirits distributor and broker with operations in 35 markets. The multi-state distributor currently operates in: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Florida, Kentucky, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Montana, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia and Wyoming. Southern also holds operating licenses and permits in Nebraska and Texas. On a national basis, Southern Wine & Spirits of America, Inc. employs more than 14,000 team members. Southern urges all retail customers and adult consumers to market, sell, serve and enjoy its products responsibly.
For more information about Southern and its responsible consumption program, see: http://www.southernwine.com.
About Beam Suntory Inc.
As the world's third largest premium spirits company, Beam Suntory is Crafting the Spirits Brands that Stir the World. Consumers from all corners of the globe call for the company's brands, including the iconic Jim Beam and Maker's Mark bourbon brands and Suntory whisky Kakubin, as well as world renowned premium brands including Knob Creek bourbon, Yamazaki, Hakushu and Hibiki Japanese whiskies, Teacher's, Laphroaig, and Bowmore Scotch whiskies, Canadian Club whisky, Courvoisier cognac, Sauza tequila, Pinnacle vodka, and Midori liqueur.
Beam Suntory was created in 2014 by combining the world leader in bourbon and the pioneer in Japanese whisky to form a new company with a deep heritage, passion for quality, innovative spirit and commitment to Growing for Good. Headquartered in Deerfield, Illinois, Beam Suntory is a subsidiary of Suntory Holdings Limited of Japan. For more information on Beam Suntory, its brands, and its commitment to social responsibility, please visit www.beamsuntory.com and www.drinksmart.com.
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SOURCE Southern Wine & Spirits of America, Inc.
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