Austin, Texas-based hard seltzer maker Mighty Swell has appointed Jeana Harrington as its new CEO.
Harrington, who took over the position from John Beal on August 4, has served in various roles at Mighty Swell since 2016, most recently working as chief revenue officer, according to her LinkedIn profile.
While serving as VP of sales, and later head of sales, Harrington told the Austin Business Journal that the company’s annual revenue grew at least 70%. Revenue increased 168% year-over-year in the first half of 2021, compared to the same time in 2020, according to a press release.
“Having worked with Jeana Harrington since the beginning, I speak for the [company’s board] when I say that we are confident that she is the right person for the job, and will lead Mighty Swell into our next chapter of growth,” Mighty Swell founder Sean Cusack said in the release. “Her experience as a leader, combined with her impeccable work ethic and intimate knowledge of the brand are a recipe for success.”
Harrington told the Business Journal she plans to make Mighty Swell profitable by the end of the year, and grow it to be a national brand over the next two years. The hard seltzer brand is available in 25 markets in 23 states. It was the top independent hard seltzer brand in the U.S. through July 2021, according to market research firm IRI. Last year, Mighty Swell was named an official sponsor of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
“As we enter 2022, our focus will be two-fold: differentiating ourselves to seltzer drinkers through innovation and outreach, and streamlining our operations and supply chain,” Harrington said in the release. “We have assembled an amazing team over the past six months to help us accomplish those objectives.”
Prior to joining Mighty Swell, Harrington helped launch OOLA Distillery in Seattle, and created a self-distribution network for the company. Before entering the alcohol industry, she spent more than a decade in various strategy and financial consulting roles.
Lift Bridge Brewing Hires Director of National Accounts
Stillwater, Minnesota-based Lift Bridge Brewing Company has named Dave Mosher as its new director of national accounts.
Mosher brings five years of experience to Lift Bridge, after serving primarily as an account manager with Decorah, Iowa-based Toppling Goliath Brewing Company, according to a press release. He served as assistant brewer at the now-shuttered Grand Rounds Brewpub in Rochester, Minnesota.
“I am really excited to jump on board at a time when Lift Bridge Brewery is positioned for strong regional and national growth behind a diverse portfolio of fantastic beers, seltzer, and craft sodas,” Mosher said in the press release. “I really enjoy the teamwork and camaraderie behind Lift Bridge products and am excited to be joining a diverse and talented team that shares a vision and the culture for long-term success.”
Mosher will be tasked with expanding Lift Bridge’s distribution into new markets. The brewery — which produces craft sodas, hard seltzers, and beer — distributes its product throughout Minnesota, Wisconsin, North Dakota, South Dakota and Oklahoma. It operates two production facilities and taprooms, one in Stillwater and one in New Richmond, Wisconsin.
Maui Brewing Appoints New Chief Sales Officer
Hawaii-based Maui Brewing Company has named Chris McJunkin as its new chief sales officer, effective October 1.
McJunkin has 26 years of experience in the beer industry, holding various positions at Craft Brew Alliance, Vermont Hard Cider, Founders Brewing, and Scofflaw Brewing, according to a press release. Most recently, McJunkin worked as chief commercial officer for Sozo Hemp, a Louisville, Kentucky-based hemp and CBD startup.
“[Maui co-founder and CEO] Garrett [Marrero] has tremendous vision for Maui Brewing, Maui Hard Seltzer and Kupu Spirits,” McJunkin said. “Garrett and I found similarities in our passion for the business and how we see the MBC Brand ‘Ohana and brewery progressing over the next years. Maui Brewing is one of the true great lifestyle brands that exudes a feel and a way of life everyone loves. My goal is to deliver the beauty and splendor of Hawaii to everyone via our amazing portfolio of beers, seltzers, RTD’s and spirits.”
In his new role, McJunkin will oversee sales, distribution, and market expansions, and will work closely with Marrero and the Maui marketing team on brand awareness and consumer engagement, according to the release.
Beverage Alcohol E-Commerce Platform Speakeasy Fills Two New Leadership Roles
The San Diego-based beverage alcohol e-commerce platform Speakeasy Co. has appointed Mark Tholking as its chief technology officer (CTO) and Cara Morrison as its chief financial officer (CFO).
Tholking previously worked in the same position as Vessel, a health and wellness company.
“Mark played a crucial role in the recent success of our Tesla Tequila initiative having developed the strategy and overall technology to truly make it possible, also helping to solve the incredibly difficult technology problem of creating a flash sale site to scale to millions of users, selling out in less than an hour,” Speakeasy co-founder and COO Michael Bowen said in the release. “We are fortunate to now have Mark full-time supporting the business and are confident in his abilities to take Speakeasy Co. to new heights in the years ahead.”
Morrison joined Speakeasy in April, according to her LinkedIn profile. She most recently worked as chief financial officer for IDW Publishing, a San Diego-based media company.
Bowen said Morrison will be tasked with helping Speakeasy expand its retail and distribution platform, and coordinate management of “thousands of SKUs and partners.”
Speakeasy allows alcoholic beverage companies to integrate direct-to-consumer (DTC) systems. The integrated platform handles the technology, warehousing, and order fulfillment services for companies, according to Speakeasy’s website.