Lou Romano Lands at Flying Fish
After four years as the national sales manager for Oskar Blues Brewery, Lou Romano has left the Colorado-headquartered craft brewery to become the president of Flying Fish Brewing Company.
In a press release, the New Jersey-based craft brewery said Romano, who previously served as the director of marketing and wholesaler development for D.G. Yuengling & Son, would take over as president on November 20.
Flying Fish founder Gene Mueller, who had served as president of the company, will remain “heavily involved in all areas of managing the Flying Fish brand, focusing on special projects and lending expertise in an advisory capacity,” the release noted.
“I’m excited to be working with someone of Lou’s background to help Flying Fish continue to expand and thrive,” Mueller said via the release. “We built a state-of-the-art facility and his experience is just what we need to move to the next level.”
Flying Fish, which sold a stake to the Lynette and Haggerty families — owners of the national media company Times-Shamrock Communications – last year, said it interviewed “several” candidates from top-tier craft breweries during its three-month search for a president.
Molson Coors International CEO Exits
After 12 years with Molson Coors, Stewart Glendinning, the president and CEO of the company’s international division, will depart on December 8, the brewery announced yesterday.
Glendinning has been named the chief financial officer of Tyson Foods, one of the world’s largest food companies. He will join the Jimmy Dean and Hillshire Farm-maker on December 11, according to a press release.
“Stewart’s background in both finance and operations will be an important asset to our team as we continue Tyson Foods’ transformation to a modern food company,” Tom Hayes, the president and CEO of Tyson Foods, said via a release.
For his part, Molson Coors CEO Mark Hunter thanked Glendinning for his “leadership” and wished him “every success as he embarks on a new chapter in his career.”
United States Beverage Promotes Justin Fisch to President
U.S. Beverage yesterday announced that Justin Fisch, son of the company’s founder, Joseph Fisch, would take over as president of the Connecticut-based beer importing and marketing company.
Fisch, who joined the company in 2002, most recently served as vice president and general manager. In his new role, Fisch will manage all operational responsibilities, including sales, marketing, finance and administration for the company, according to a release.
“Justin has built an impressive team of managers that reflect the ideals and growth objectives for the future of USB,” Joseph Fisch said via the release. “He has been instrumental in expanding capabilities and competencies into new channels, including craft and non-alcoholic beverages.”
U.S. Beverage oversees sales and marketing for brands such as Innis & Gunn, Empire Brewing Company and Sonoma Cider, among others.
Hunter Bergschneider Appointed CEO of Toast Ale USA
In a post on LinkedIn, entrepreneur Hunter Bergschneider said he was tapped to lead Toast Ale USA, an innovative brewing concept that creates products using a surplus of fresh bread from bakeries that would otherwise discard the loaves.
“We upcycle fresh, surplus bread from Bread Alone Bakery (which would otherwise go to waste) and brew it locally into craft beer,” Bergschneider explained. “100 percent of our profits are donated to our charity partner Feedback – putting a stop to food waste.”