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INDUSTRY SPOTLIGHT appointments Jim Allen is the newly appointed Senior VP, Fine Wines, Southern Wine & Spirits of America, Inc. Allen will report directly to both Mel Dick, Southern Wine & Spirits of America, Inc.’s Senior VP & President Wine Division and Jack Brennan, Executive VP, General Manager of SW&S of California, Inc., in this new dual role. Jim Allen. Commenting on how this pro- motion will help strengthen the company’s fi ne wine focus across the country, Mel Dick says, “Jim is truly among the most respected fi ne wine people within the industry. He will be Southern’s senior executive in the all important and growing California wine regions—closely managing our relations with our California fi ne wine partners there. Steve Slater and I are thrilled to welcome Jim to our corporate wine team. Jim will also be an invaluable resource to our California leadership team led by Jack Brennan.” Allen has been with Southern for 32 years, most recently serving as Executive VP, Wines for the Southern-Odom/ Spirits West joint venture in the Pacifi c Northwest. Jim Clerkin is the newly appointed President and CEO of Moët Hennessy USA. The 30-year industry veteran joined Moët Hennessy USA in June 2008 as Executive VP and Chief Operating Offi cer. Prior to joining Moët Hennessy, he had roles of increasing responsibilities within the Guinness Group, including President of Diageo North America’s Western Division, and as President of Allied Domecq North America from 2003 until 2006. From 2006 to 2008, Clerkin was President of Beam Global Spirits & Wines. He suc- ceeds Mark Cornell, who has been President and CEO of Moët Hennessy USA since 2006. Cornell’s next assignment within the LVMH Group will be communicated very soon. Pete Carr is the new Executive Vice President of Glazer’s Pete Carr. Distributors, overseeing Diageo and Moët Hennessy USA, effective this month. His position was created fol- lowing the recent signing by Glazer’s, Diageo and Moët Hennessy USA of new, long-term distribution contracts for Texas and Louisiana. Prior to joining Glazer’s, Carr was President U.S. Spirits Open States for Diageo. Sean Penn has joined Diageo Chateau & Estates as VP of Sales, West Region. In his new role, Penn will be respon- sible for leading the west coast DC&E sales organization as well as providing leadership to the wines business as a whole. “I had the pleasure of hiring Sean when he joined the organization 12 years ago and am absolutely thrilled to be working with him again,” says Sandra LeDrew, President for DC&E. Thomas Dew. Importer G. K. Skaggs Inc. of Irvine, CA welcomes Thomas Dew as the company’s Retail Chain Manager for its Wine Division. Prior to joining the G. K. Skaggs Sales Team, Dew worked for Wine Warehouse in California. Southern Wine & Spirits of Southern California toasts another great year! 12 / the tasting panel / january–february 201 1 PHOTO: COURTESY OF SOUTHERN WINE & SPIRITS