Who & What --

(EMail personnel announcements to editor@bevnewsonline.com)

Breakthru Beverage Group promotes Jesse Christen to EVP-Wisconsin. He brings more than 14 years of experience with Breakthru, having held leadership positions across the business, most recently as VP-Supplier Business Development. Earlier in his career, he served as VP-Sales for Wisconsin, where he led the market’s commercial organization and developed a deep understanding of the business and its partners. During his tenure, Wisconsin achieved significant growth with key suppliers through initiatives focused on SKU optimization, margin enhancement and commercial execution.

Woodward Canyon Winery, Louden, Wash., names Kathy Byrd vp-general manager. “Kathy’s experience in devising effective wine sales strategies coupled with her knowledge of wine operations and connections within the wine industry made her the ideal candidate,” winery co-founder Darcey Small said in a press release.

Byrd brings 30 years of wine industry experience to Woodward Canyon. For the last eight years, she has been a consultant at Real Wine Alliance, where she consulted for over two dozen wineries and related businesses.

Prior to starting Real Wine Alliance, Byrd spent two years at Winebow, including one year as vp-general manager of Noble Wines. and more than 3-1/2 years at Young’s Market Co. where she finished as vp-sales for The Estates Group.

Earlier in her career, Byrd was national sales manager for Gundlach Bundschu Winery; western regional manager at King Estate Winery, and northwest regional manager for Francis Ford Coppola Presents.