Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits has appointed Jack Brennan to a new role of Senior Vice President and Managing Director, Corporate Development.
The move is effective February 1.
In this role, Brennan will be responsible for providing leadership and guidance for labor and governmental relations relating to the company’s operations in California, while also assisting in the expansion and maintenance of Southern Glazer’s represented California-based wineries, both within the state and in those that the company does business.
Brennan will also support other strategic corporate development initiatives and will report directly to Wayne E. Chaplin, Chief Executive Officer.
Most recently, Brennan held the role of Executive Vice President and General Manager, California for Southern Glazer’s. He has been with the Company for more than 40 years, and is credited with helping to shape its business in California, ultimately leading the state to become the largest market across the company’s national footprint.
After starting as a sales representative in Florida in 1976, Brennan transferred to Southern California. Working his way up to a sales leadership role, in 1983 he helped integrate the acquisition of Grape Empire into Southern Glazer’s Northern California business.
“Jack was with us from the very beginning when we were trying to win in California,” says Harvey Chaplin, Chairman of Southern Glazer’s. “It was no easy task, but Jack had the persistence and drive to help us expand in Northern California and establish ourselves as a statewide distributor. That really was a turning point, not only in California but for the Company as a whole. Our success in California cemented our leadership position that led us to become the Company we are today.”
Succeeding Brennan in his prior role as Executive Vice President and General Manager of California is Steve Harden. Harden most recently served as Executive Vice President of Sales for California. During his 30-year career with the Company, Harden has progressed through a number of sales and operations leadership roles in California, beginning as an account executive in Sacramento, moving to General Manager roles in Sacramento and Northern California, and becoming Senior Vice President and General Manager of Northern California.
“Steve has been a key contributor to the success of our business in California for decades,” says Patrick Daul, President, West Region, Southern Glazer’s. “I can’t think of a person more capable and prepared to take on the top leadership role in this market.”
