Kirin-owned New Belgium Brewing announced several leadership changes today and provided an update on its search for a new chief marketing officer.
Chief sales officer (CSO) Michael Corrigan is leaving the Fort Collins, Colorado-based craft brewery after more than 15 years to join Keg1, one of New Belgium’s “largest distributor partners,” according to a media statement shared with Brewbound. His last day will be March 8.
Corrigan will serve as chief business development officer of K1MS, a new platform from the distributor. New Belgium division VP Shannon Cahalan will serve as interim CSO “to ensure a smooth transition.”
Corrigan joined New Belgium in 2008 as central division sales director, and went on to hold roles such as national field sales director and VP of sales. Prior to New Belgium, he spent time in sales management roles at Boston Beer, Western Beverage and Molson Coors (then MillerCoors).
“I am grateful for all Michael has contributed to the company and our team,” New Belgium CEO Shaun Belongie said in the release. “While we are sorry to see him go, we know that he will remain a champion for our brands, and we wish him all the best.”
Additionally, New Belgium chief ESG officer Kattie Wallace is leaving the company after nearly two decades. Her last day will also be March 8.
“Katie has been vital to the formalization of our human-powered business model, and she leaves a legacy of ESG practices that will continue to guide our business decisions moving forward,” Belongie said. “We’re grateful for Katie’s efforts in laying a strong foundation for our human powered business philosophy, and we wish her well in her next endeavors.”
Wallace joined New Belgium in 2004 as a business analyst and systems development specialist. She’s held several leadership positions in her tenure, including director of social and environmental impact, and has served as chief ESG officer for more than two years.
New Belgium did not share what Wallace’s next move will be in its statement.
The departures announcement comes three months after Belongie’s appointment as CEO, taking over the spot left vacant by Steve Fechheimer over the summer. Fechheimer announced his planned departure in June, with his last day on July 21. He has since joined the board at Jiant, a Los Angeles-based, ready-to-drink bev-alc maker.
Belongie is responsible for leading not just New Belgium Brewing, but also Michigan-based Bell’s Brewery and Kansas-based Distinguished Vineyards. All three companies operate under the “New Belgium” name, used for Kirin’s full U.S. business, which previously operated under now-dissolved Lion Little World Beverages.
Belongie previously served as CMO – a position that has yet to be backfilled since the CEO change.
“With CEO Shaun Belongie firmly in his role, we are nearing the final stages of our chief marketing officer search, and we look forward to being able to share more news soon,” the company said. “The team remains firmly focused on our strategic priorities for the year, and confident in our continued momentum as a business.”