J. SMOKE WALLIN
Chairman & CEOJ. Smoke Wallin is an accomplished leader and successful entrepreneur in the beverage & technology industries. He has spent the last 20 years creating, leading or advising many of the most successful brand owners and distributors on their “go-to-market” strategies, market execution plans and capital raising/investments. Wallin led the strategic thinking and execution at NWS, which created a $1 billion plus multi-state wine, spirits, beer and non-alcoholic beverage distributor. He also served, as Chairman, President & Director of the Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America (WSWA) 1996-2004. Wallin has an MBA from Vanderbilt University and a BS in Agricultural Economics from Cornell University. Mr. Wallin is an Eagle Scout and the father of two Eagle Scout sons. He lives in Carmel, IN with his wife Anitra and his four children, Skye, Cameron, Sierra and Talli.
Don Hammond
President - US Sales & DistributionMr. Hammond has spent nearly 30 years in the drinks industry, beginning with P&G and then Gallo. After running a distributing business, Mr. Hammond was national training director for United Distillers/Schenley Industries (Now Diageo). During the 1990’s, Mr. Hammond was Corporate Vice President of National Wine and Spirits and National Sales Manager and then Senior Vice President of McCormick Distilling Company, the 8th largest distilling company in the US and served on their Board until late 2001. From 2001-2003 he served as President and COO of Columbia Distributing Company a major beer, wine spirits and soft drink distributor. Mr. Hammond then moved onto Drinks America, Inc. until 2005 as their President and COO. In 2005, Mr. Hammond formed BMA-USA, a national sales company for the beverage alcohol industry. He later co-founded Taliera Holdings to acquire brands in the beverage space.
Richard Cutler
Chief Marketing Officer & InternationalMr. Cutler is an experienced sales and marketing executive in the beer industry. His area of expertise is in brand development within international markets. He previously worked for Bass and Interbrew as well as others.
Kevin Sachs
Executive Vice President & Chief Financial OfficerA leading financial and operating executive in both the drinks and other industries, Sachs spent thirteen years in Brown-Forman (Jack Daniel’s) including ten years as SVP, Finance & Administration for Brown-Forman International, which did business in over 100 countries. While at Brown-Forman, he performed extensive Strategic Planning “consulting” to brand teams and served as liaison on Lenox China and California Cooler acquisitions. Mr. Sachs spent ten years running his own business as a Regional Owner of Learning Express Specialty Toy Franchises engaged in sales and retail development in the Midwest. In 2005, he help found and served as CFO of Altamar Brands, a spirits brand owner and marketer which recently partnered with Pelican Brands for distribution of its luxury spirits in select states, and led by W.L. Lyons Brown III. Sachs began his career with four years in systems design and analysis for Control Data Corporation. Mr. Sachs earned a BS and MBA from the University of Virginia
Art Massolo
Executive Vice President, Business Development18 years experience in the international wine and beverage trade including general management, business development, business strategy, international and domestic sales and marketing. Built the Wine Group’s international business. Outstanding contacts with major retailers, beverage suppliers and wineries in Europe, Asia, Latin America, North America, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. Proven track record in managing and developing businesses.
Dan Goode
Director of OperationsDan is a graduate of West Point, a former Captain in the US Army and earned his MBA from Vanderbilt University. Mr. Goode is responsible for the flow of goods from around the world into Pelican Brands’ distribution footprint to properly supply the 550,000 retail outlets that sell wine, spirits and beer in the US.
Bree Vetere
Special Events Manger - NASCARMiss Vetere has worked in a variety of marketing and event planning roles, most recently as Social Relations Director for Altamar Brands. She has worked on above- and below-the-line marketing for CPG companies, retail companies, and spirits companies. She has event planning experience including product and media launches, trade events, and consumer events. She has had experience in the spirits industry with brands including Jim Beam, VOX, DeKuyper, Jack Daniels, and Skyye.
