Longtime Allagash Brewing sales director Naomi Neville will depart the Portland, Maine-headquartered craft brewery in early February after more than 14 years.
Neville’s last day with the company will be February 2.
With Neville’s impending exit, Allagash has promoted Josh Fruchtman to sales director. Fruchtman has been with Allagash for nearly a decade, serving as senior national accounts manager for more than eight years, after starting as a territory sales manager.
Neville is credited with growing Allagash’s business from 16,000 barrels when she started, to more than 119,000 barrels in 2023. Allagash’s sales team has also grown from just Neville to 35 team members.
“For nearly a decade and a half, Allagash has been my home, and I’m extremely grateful for my time here, all that we’ve been able to accomplish together and the relationships we’ve made with our partners throughout the country,” Neville said in a press release. “We have a world-class sales team, steered by a wonderful new leader, who will continue to do great things for this revered beer brand.”
Allagash founder Rob Tod added: “I met Naomi while she was managing an Irish pub in downtown Portland back in 2009. She started our sales team and has been a true partner, sounding board, and leader from the first day she joined Allagash. Naomi’s contributions over the years are innumerable and we can’t thank her enough for her dedication and service, as she helped our beer reach more people than I could have ever imagined.”
Moving forward, Fruchtman will lead Allagash’s field sales and key accounts teams. Under Fruchtman’s leadership, Allagash’s chain business has tripled since 2016, including +3% growth last year.
“Naomi has created a robust sales team, and Josh is ready to build upon our strength and momentum,” Tod continued. “We congratulate him on this well-deserved promotion and look forward to embarking on the next chapter of our brewery with him at the helm of the sales team.”
Fruchtman added: “I’m thrilled and honored to take on the position of sales director for Allagash. Naomi’s leadership for the past 14 years not only laid the groundwork, her vision and work brought sales at Allagash to new heights entirely. I’m looking forward to picking up where she left off and continuing to bring such a highly beloved brand to beer lovers.”
Allagash ranked as the 20th largest Brewers Association-defined craft brewery by volume in 2022, producing 119,848 barrels of beer (+2%).
In 2023, Allagash’s new core offering, Hop Reach IPA, became the No. 1 new craft brand in New England, per NIQ New England food scan data through December 2 shared by 3 Tier Beverages. The company also increased sales volume of Tripel +1% after moving from 4-packs to 6-pack bottles.