Coronado Promotes Brandon Richards to CEO
Coronado Brewing Company announced Thursday the promotion of Brandon Richards to CEO as Ron Chapman transitions into the role of chairman of the board.
Richards, who previously served as co-chief operating officer, will oversee day-to-day operations at Coronado as well as its sister breweries SouthNorte Beer Co. and the recently acquired Monkey Paw Brewing Company.
“I have been saying for a long time that it is time to let the young guns run the brewery,” Chapman said in a press release. “[My brother] Rick and I will still be active participants in our business, but these changes give Brandon the autonomy to move the business forward.”
Richards, who has been with the company for five years, is credited with helping Coronado increase its production by 27,000 barrels and overseeing a brand refresh in 2015, according to the release.
“I have learned so much working with the Chapmans, and I am excited for this new opportunity to keep pushing our company forward in these challenging times,” Richards said in the release.
Per the release, Kasey Chapman will remain the company’s COO and oversee the restaurant operations of Coronado and Monkey Paw.
Figueroa Mountain Hires Director of Marketing
Cambria Griffith will join California-based Figueroa Mountain Brewing Co. as director of marketing starting January 15.
Griffith had been the marketing manager for The Bruery and Bruery Terreux for about five years, where she also helped launch Offshoot Beer Co.
“Having Cambria come aboard is a huge addition and step forward in the right direction for our new goals and focus,” Figueroa Mountain founder Jaime Dietenhofer said in a press release. “She has a great reputation in the craft beer industry, and I have been a huge fan of what she has been able to accomplish in her work.”
Figueroa Mountain, which brews about 20,000 barrels of beer annually, is in the process of completing an expansion of its Buellton production facility that will allow the company to scale up to 110,000 barrels annually.
Molson Coors Announces New Molson Coors International CEO
Beginning January 1, Sergey Yesov will assume the role of president and CEO of Molson Coors International. Yesov had been Molson Coors Canada’s chief sales and customer excellence officer.
“As a commercial leader with proven results and an innate understanding of what is required to achieve our First Choice Ambition, Sergey is a valuable addition to the MCBC Enterprise Leadership Team,” Molson Coors president and CEO Mark Hunter said in a press release.
Forbidden Root Adds COO
Chicago’s Forbidden Root has hired Kevin McGillen as its chief operations officer. McGillen, who was vice president of operations for Two Brothers Brewing Company, will be focused on “sales and operations,” according to a press release.
“We are happy to welcome Kevin to the Forbidden Root team,” Forbidden Root owner Robert Finkel said in a press release. “His business acuity and pattern of organizing and implementing growth in both process and in revenue will be a strong addition to Forbidden Root’s successful and growing business.”
Ex-New Belgium Manager Opens South African Brewery
In November, former New Belgium area manager Nick Smith launched Soul Barrel Brewing in South Africa, which will focus “on local flavors and expanding the craft beer revolution” in the country, according to a press release.
Smith, who previously served as a senior brewer with Abita, had been working as a New Belgium area manager in Washington, D.C., for nearly three years. Prior to that he served a nearly two-year stint as a craft brand manager with Reyes Holdings’ Premium Distributors of Virginia.
Matt Tucker Joins Reformation Brewery
Georgia’s Reformation Brewery appointed Matt Tucker last month as its brewing operations manager. Tucker was previously the head brewer and director of brewing operations at JDub’s Brewing Company in Sarasota, Florida.
“With his experience in both a large production brewery and brewpub, we’re looking forward to growing together in 2018,” Reformation co-founder and brewmaster Nick Downs said in a press release. “With a new location opening up this spring in downtown Woodstock, Matt will have a chance to make his mark in the heart of our community.”