PORTLAND, Ore.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--
Eastside Distilling, Inc. (NASDAQ: EAST), makers of craft spirits, today announced that Robert Manfredonia has been appointed Vice President of National Accounts. Until joining Eastside, Manfredonia was Vice President, National Off Premise Chains at Roust USA, the owner of Russian Standard Vodka, as well as prosecco, cognac and other alcoholic beverages. As a VP at Rouse, Manfredonia was responsible for selling spirit and wine products to major accounts including Costco, Kroger, Spec’s (Texas), Safeway and other similar accounts. In addition, Manfredonia specializes in creating private label brands for major retailers. Manfredonia is a US Air Force veteran and a resident of San Diego.
Grover Wickersham, CEO of Eastside Distilling, commented, “Robert is an outstanding addition to our sales team. Robert’s initial assignment is to work with his longtime friend and past colleague, our SVP Sales Jarrett Catalani, and with our business partner, John Rich, to further accelerate the already rapid roll out of the Redneck Riviera Whiskey brand. I believe that Robert will quickly get results for our shareholders.”
Jarrett Catalani, Eastside’s Senior VP of Sales, commented, “Robert is an industry veteran with over 25 years of experience in wine, beer and spirits. He brings to Eastside Distilling years of leadership, most importantly in selling to the very vital ‘Big Box’ retailers. Along with his experience comes relationships not only with the distributor network, but first name relationships with many of the buyers that dominate this category. At Robert’s last stop, Russian Standard, he was very successful in stabilizing sales of Russian Standard Vodka in a very competitive category, and was also able to achieve distribution and programming of some of their new to market brands. With his understanding of speed to shelf, we should see some early impact from Robert coming aboard.”
Robert Manfredonia has over 25 years of experience helping liquor companies drive new business growth, distributor focus and forging strong relationships with external business partners. Most recently, he was Vice President National Off Premise Chains at Roust USA focused on the Russian Standard portfolio. From 2012 through 2015, he was co-founder of Diamond Brands Inc. ‘Magnifico Giornata’, where he had complete organizational responsibility of sales, marketing and operations. From 2007 through 2012, he was Western Division Director for Duvel Moortgat USA where he had responsibility for regional off-premise account interface to include Safeway, Albertsons, Ralphs, Bev Mo, Whole Foods, Southland and others. Prior to 2007, Manfredonia worked for Miller Brewing Company as a Division Director and National Accounts Manager, Pete’s Brewing Company as Western Manager. Manfredonia started his career as a sales manager with Southern Wine & Spirits. Manfredonia served in the United States Air Force from 1984 through 1989.
About Eastside Distilling
Eastside Distilling, Inc. (NASDAQ: EAST) has been producing high-quality, award-winning craft spirits in Portland, Oregon since 2008. The company is distinguished by its highly decorated product lineup that includes Burnside Bourbon, West End American Whiskey, Goose Hollow Reserve, Below Deck Rums, Portland Potato Vodka, Hue-Hue Coffee Rum and a distinctive line of fruit infused spirits. Eastside Distilling is majority owner of Big Bottom Distilling (makers of The Ninety One Gin, Navy Strength Gin and Delta Rye whiskey) and the Redneck Riviera Whiskey Co. All Eastside, Big Bottom and Redneck Riviera spirits are crafted from natural ingredients for quality and taste. Eastside’s MotherLode Bottling subsidiary is one of the Northwest’s leading independent spirit bottlers and ready-to-drink canners. For more information visit: www.eastsidedistilling.com or follow the company on Twitter and Facebook.
Important Cautions Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
Certain matters discussed in this press release may be forward-looking statements. Such matters involve risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially, including the following: changes in economic conditions; general competitive factors; acceptance of the Company's products in the market; the Company's success in obtaining new customers; the Company's success in product development; the Company's ability to execute its business model and strategic plans; the Company's success in integrating acquired entities and assets, and all the risks and related information described from time to time in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"), including the financial statements and related information contained in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K and interim Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. Examples of forward-looking statements in this release may include statements related to our strategic focus, product verticals, anticipated revenue, and profitability. The Company assumes no obligation to update the cautionary information in this release.
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