Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/61075
INDUSTRY SPOTLIGHT Movers & Shakers A s the beverage industry's largest career network, BevForce knows who's coming and who's going at the leading global beverage compa- nies. BevForce is the only beverage industry staffi ng agency providing both an online job board and executive recruiting services. Visit www. bevforce.com to sign up for the Movers & Shakers newsletter or to report your job move or recent hire. John Coleman has been named President at Pabst Brewing Company. He had been Vice President of Sales, West at Anheuser-Busch. Kevin Conrad has been named VP of Sales at mix1. He had been EVP of Sales/Distribution at Go Fast Energy Drink. Mario Freixas has been named State Manager South Florida at Destileria Serralles, Inc. He had been Florida State Manager at Tequila Avión. Amanda Blanco has been named Vice President, Marketing Brand Manager/Jägermeister at Sidney Frank Importing Company. She had been Senior Marketing Brand Manager at Sidney Frank Importing Company. Paolo Perego has been named COO at Campari America. He had been Managing Director at Gruppo Campari South America. Declan Duggan has been named CEO/CMO at Ellickson International USA. He had been Director of Sales & Marketing USA at Ellickson International USA. Scott Northeimer has been named Director of Sales at Partida Tequila. He had been Western Divisional Sales Director at Partida Tequila. Kenneth "Scotty" Barbour has been named Director of International Sales, Strategy & Key Accounts at Spring Mountain Vineyard. He had been Director of Sales & Marketing at Opus One Winery. Brian Fried has been named Regional Vice President Sales, Western Division at Heineken USA. He had been Director of Business Development at Heineken USA. Matt Trautmann has been named Michigan Sales Manager at Blue Point Brewing Company. He had been On-Premise Account Manager at Powers Distributing. BevForce Hot Shot This month, we chatted with Joen Choe, who was recently named Marketing Director at The Cooper Spirits Company. He was previously Senior Brand Manager, Absolut at Pernod Ricard. TP: How would you defi ne The Cooper Spirits Company's culture and what attracted you to it? JC: The most obvious and tangible aspect is passion. We really love the products we're making, the experiences we're creating for consumers, and the way we conduct ourselves in the marketplace. We don't just care about what we're making, but also why we're making it. TP: What advice would you give to job seekers looking for their next role? JC: Earlier in my career, I found it important to have big names and big brands on my resumé. I thought people would take me more seriously. In retrospect, it's really more about your individual role and the impact you can have on the organization—whether that organization is big or small isn't nearly as important. TP: If you weren't enjoying a St-Germain Cocktail or shot of Slow and Low, you would be drinking a . . . JC: I love sampling whatever's local and specifi c to a certain culture and market. I just got back from Puerto Rico and had this local malt drink, Malta India. It tastes of molasses and barley and general wholesome goodness. And I love the fact that it reminded me of all the "near beers" and other crafty concoctions dreamed up in response to Prohibition. 14 / the tasting panel / april 2012