Wings & Arrow Announces Wes Van De Vort as Chief Executive Officer

San Diego, CA — (January 30, 2026) — Wings & Arrow, the brand house behind Ashland Hard Seltzer and Modern Times Beer, today announced that Wes Van De Vort is in the role of CEO. Van De Vort, who co-founded the Ashland Hard Seltzer brand in 2019 and later merged it with the Wings & Arrow portfolio, has overseen day-to-day operations since the company's launch in 2021. While only recently announced, Van De Vort has served as Wings & Arrow's CEO since Josh Landan's departure to pursue other ventures in October of 2024. 

 

With more than two decades of experience across sales, operations, and marketing in the beverage and lifestyle sectors, Van De Vort is well-suited to refocusing Wings & Arrow's efforts on current market opportunities.

 

"While I haven't been the public face of Wings & Arrow, I've been behind the scenes leading operations since its inception," said Van De Vort. "My focus since becoming CEO last year has been on rebuilding the Modern Times footprint in California and Arizona, and driving growth for Ashland by responding quickly to trends in packaging and flavor preference. I am excited to continue to guide the Wings & Arrow portfolio in the years to come." 

 

Since taking on the CEO role, Van De Vort has streamlined the Wings & Arrow portfolio by focusing resources on brands with the strongest potential in the evolving market.

 

Modern Times, which Wings & Arrow acquired from Craft 'Ohana in January 2025, has a renewed focus on leveraging its IP as it rebuilds its portfolio, most notably with its new West Coast IPA, which now joins its top-selling Orderville IPA in 16-ounce 6-packs. Ashland has also seen success with new SKUs, including its 8% ABV hard seltzer 12-pack Paradise Pack, which is available at the same pricepoint as the brand's other 5% ABV 12-packs. The Paradise Pack, which received a limited distribution test run in 2025, will see greater territory introductions in 2026. Wings & Arrow also maintains a licensing agreement with Victorum Corporate Strategies for the Modern Times hospitality and coffee businesses, part of a legacy arrangement stemming from a previous contract with Craft 'Ohana that helps provide additional exposure for the brand.

 

"The beverage alcohol landscape has changed dramatically since brands like Modern Times and Ashland first launched," added Van De Vort. "But both still carry tremendous brand equity. In 2026, we'll be investing heavily in opportunities we've built toward this year, while keeping space open for strategic reintroductions and potential acquisitions."

Van De Vort leads a seasoned team, many of whom have been with Wings & Arrow since its inception, including Dan Burns, Vice President of Sales, and Nick Pigeon, national account executive. While Modern Times and Ashland Hard Seltzer are the core focus for Wings & Arrow, the company still holds the ownership of Ashland Spirits, Villager Spirits, and Wings and Arrow Beer.

 

About Wings & Arrow, LLC:

Founded in 2021, Wings & Arrow, LLC is the brand house whose portfolio encompasses Ashland Hard Seltzer, Modern Times Beer, and other entities in the beverage space. Jointly owned by a collective of entrepreneurs and innovators, Wings & Arrow focuses on creating hard seltzer, premium beer, and other beverages. Wings & Arrow products are currently available in California, Arizona, Washington, Idaho, and Oregon.