Branded and distilled spirits producer MGP Ingredients, Inc. has announced four strategic senior appointments across its commercial and executive tier. The personnel additions are structured to elevate commercial execution, expand national account coverage, and accelerate brand equity across its spirits and distilling divisions.
The leadership expansion spans key commercial functions, incorporating experienced talent from global beverage alcohol and CPG majors including Pernod Ricard, Diageo, Brown-Forman, Suntory Global Spirits, and PepsiCo.
Executive Leadership Appointments
The four newly created and assigned operational roles include:
👔 Tom Neiheisel, Vice-President of Distilling Solutions Sales: Leads the Distilling Solutions commercial organisation, overseeing sales strategy, customer engagement, and business development. Neiheisel brings over two decades of commercial experience, having previously held senior positions at Pernod Ricard USA, Diageo, and Brown-Forman spanning contract distillation, bulk sales, and plant operations.
🍸 Sol Clahane, Managing Director of National Accounts: Directs on- and off-premise national chain sales across MGP's branded spirits portfolio. Clahane joins with more than 30 years of commercial leadership in beverage alcohol, including senior roles at Pernod Ricard USA and Brown-Forman, with a focus on expanding distributor and retail chain footprint.
🥃 Marilyn Chen, Brand Director for Penelope Bourbon: Oversees strategic brand vision, marketing campaigns, innovation, and ambassador programmes for Penelope Bourbon. Chen transitions from Suntory Global Spirits, where she served as US Brand Director managing premium American and Japanese whiskey portfolios including Jim Beam, Maker's Mark, and Basil Hayden.
📊 David Sanders, Vice-President of Financial Planning and Analysis: Manages enterprise finance and revenue growth management across the company's operating divisions. Sanders brings 18 years of financial planning experience from previous leadership roles at Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits, PepsiCo, and Bimbo Bakeries.
The commercial appointments reflect MGP's broader strategy to expand its presence in higher-margin branded spirits while maintaining its core contract distilling and bulk spirit operations.
Julie Francis, President and Chief Executive Officer of MGP Ingredients, stated that the appointments bring deep expertise in customer partnerships, commercial execution, and financial discipline, supporting the company's long-term strategy to deepen customer relationships and scale its premium brand portfolio.
About MGP Ingredients
Headquartered in Atchison, Kansas, MGP Ingredients, Inc. is a US supplier of premium distilled spirits, branded spirits, and food ingredient solutions. The company operates production facilities across the US, supplying bulk whiskies, gins, and food-grade industrial alcohol to beverage manufacturers alongside a growing proprietary portfolio of award-winning spirit brands.
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