BR Distilling Company appoints two new senior positions
Image: Christopher Crosbie (left) and Gregg Smith
BR Distilling Company, parent company of
Blue Note Bourbon, has appointed two new senior positions — Gregg Smith as its new chief financial officer and Christopher Crosbie as vice president of national sales.
Gregg Smith brings more than 30 years of experience in financial and business development leadership for organizations in telecom, healthcare, software, logistics, services, and beverage manufacturing industries. Some of his specialties include financial analysis, IT strategy, and international operations.
In this new role, Smith will produce the company’s financial planning and analysis external reporting, banking relationships, and internal controls. He will also have oversight of human resources, help to raise capital, and build relationships with key partners, investors, and vendors.
Logan Welk, president and chief operating officer of BR Distilling Company said: “Gregg is an accomplished CFO whose expertise makes him an invaluable asset to our team.
“Earlier this year, BR Distilling closed a multimillion-dollar financing round from existing shareholders. Gregg’s leadership and insights will be invaluable as we focus on generating distribution and depletions for Blue Note Bourbon within our current US markets as well as later this year when raise a larger growth capital round of equity financing. I’m thrilled to welcome Gregg to our team.”
With years of both sales and distilled spirits expertise, Christopher Crosbie has served as director of sales, East USA, for Altos Planos Collective as well as vice president, commercial, for Diageo, where he led the planning and execution of the spirits and beer portfolio across many markets. He also served as the acting general manager for the Caribbean and Central America region.
Crosbie will help create the company’s operating plan for all regions designed to build national brand awareness, education, and sales for Blue Note. He will also lead financial and operational management, oversee marketing and sales plans for trade channels, and talent development and recruitment.
Welk commented: “With his deep industry and leadership experience, Chris possesses all the qualities to effectively lead our sales team and help to expand the Blue Note brand footprint in the US. In a few short years, Blue Note has caught the attention of whisky lovers and experts alike… We’re excited and ready to capitalise on this momentum.”
3 April 2024 - Alec McDonnell