PORTLAND, Ore.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Eastside Distilling, Inc. (NASDAQ: EAST) today announced the promotion of spirits industry veteran, Robert Manfredonia, to the position of President. Manfredonia has over 25 years of experience helping liquor companies drive new business growth, distributor focus and forging strong relationships with external business partners. As Eastside’s Vice President of National Accounts, Manfredonia has until now been in charge of selling the Company’s Redneck Riviera Whiskey product to ‘big box’ retailers including Costco, Kroger, Albertsons, Walmart, CVS, Winn Dixie, Spec’s (Texas), Jewel Osco, ABC Liquors (Florida) and other significant accounts. Manfredonia will begin maintaining his primary office in Portland, Oregon, during 2019.
Executive Chairman and CEO, Grover Wickersham, commented, “Robert is a spirits industry veteran with a clear view of the competitive landscape. He has an entrepreneurial approach to addressing new markets and new developmental opportunities, while understanding the importance of expanding business with existing customers. Since joining us in the spring, Robert has landed major corporate accounts, one after another. This promotion increases Robert’s authority and independence in dealing with large national accounts, and also in representing our overall brand portfolio. He will continue to work closely with Tennessee-based SVP of Sales, Jarrett Catalani, as the Redneck Riviera Whiskey rollout enters a critical year of national growth in 2019.”
Wickersham continued, “Filling the vacancy in the President slot frees more of my time for strategic initiatives, in M&A and finance with CFO Steve Shum, and with new product development, headed by EVP and Master Distiller, Melissa Heim.”
Robert Manfredonia, President of Eastside Distilling, added, “I believe Eastside Distilling has a brilliant future. We will be intensifying our efforts to sell our product lineup of spirits, wine and RTDs, and building on the foundation that has been established by our success in 2018 with the Redneck Riviera Whiskey brand. I will intend to foster an ‘Urgency of Delivery Environment’ via thoughtful pre-planning and processes. I thank Grover and the board for their confidence in me and I look forward to an exciting future with Eastside.”
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. He started his career as a sales manager with Southern Wine & Spirits. Manfredonia served as a logistics specialist in the United States Air Force from 1984 through 1989, serving in Asia and Europe. From 2012 through 2015, he was co-founder of Diamond Brands Inc., where he led the concept development, research and development, and bringing to market of a French sparkling wine.
From 2007 through 2012, he was Western Division Director for Duvel Moortgat USA, where he had oversight of 6 breweries, 5 European, and U.S. management of 106 distributors. Prior to 2007, Manfredonia worked for Miller Brewing Company as a Division Director of International Brands. His oversight included 9 urban centers and 52 distributors with a fiscal 2006 revenue increase of 42%. Mr Manfredonia joined Eastside from Russian Standard, where he was Vice President in charge of National Accounts.
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.