Firestone Walker chief sales officer David Macon stepped down last week after eight years with the Paso Robles, California-headquartered craft brewery.
“I’m taking some time away and had a ridiculously awesome run at two amazing breweries,” Macon told Brewbound.
Macon joined Firestone Walker in April 2014 as VP of sales and marketing, and was promoted to the chief sales role in January 2020.
Under his leadership, Firestone Walker’s output increased 123% from 2014 to 2020, when the brewery produced 464,712 barrels. Last year, Duvel Moortgat USA (Firestone Walker and its sibling breweries Boulevard and Brewery Ommegang) ranked as the country’s fourth-largest craft brewery by volume, according to the Brewers Association (BA), which yesterday released its annual list of the top 50 craft brewers.
“We were lucky to get eight years of his energy and expertise, and wish him well in his next chapter,” a Firestone spokesperson said of Macon’s departure. “He leaves us with a strong sales team to keep us forging ahead.”
Among Macon’s achievements at Firestone Walker was the 805 brand’s march to prominence. The blonde ale has become the company’s top SKU and was the No. 8 craft beer brand in off-premise retailers tracked by market research firm IRI year-to-date through March 22. Last year, the brand extended to include 805 Cerveza, a Mexican lager.
Prior to joining Firestone Walker, Macon spent 14 years at New Belgium Brewing. He served in a variety of sales roles, leaving as the sales director for the brewery’s western division, which included California, Nevada, Oregon, Washington, Montana, Idaho, Arizona and Alaska, according to his LinkedIn profile.
Macon, a U.S. Navy veteran who served 15 months deployed in the Persian Gulf, also spent time in the wholesale and retail tiers before joining the supplier side of the industry.
Beer Business Daily first reported the move.