USA: Craft Brew Alliance announces two major personnel losses

Craft Brew Alliance (CBA), 12th largest brewing group in the United States in which AB InBev holds a  31.4 percent stake, announced on Tuesday that João Paulo Falcão Vieira has been appointed to its Board of Directors, effective June 13, 2018. Mr. Falcão Vieira replaces Michael R. Taylor, who departed CBA’s Board last month to become new CEO of San Diego-based Green Flash Brewing.

One day later CBA reported that also “Joseph K. Vanderstelt, chief financial officer, will be departing the company, effective July 13, 2018. Mr. Vanderstelt has resigned his position at CBA to accept another career opportunity on the east coast.” A replacement has not been named but “CBA’s management will work with Mr. Vanderstelt over the coming weeks to ensure a smooth transition of his responsibilities,” according to the statement.

Coming from MillerCoors where Vanderstedt served as a Senior Director Finance & Strategy, he joined CBA in April 2015 as Chief Financial Officer.  “It was not an easy decision to leave CBA, but I feel really confident in the team that’s in place and their ability to continue building on the strong progress we’ve made over the past few years,” Vanderstelt was quoted in the press release. The manager will officially exit the company on July 13 to accept  a “similar” position with an undisclosed non-alcoholic beverage company.

Mr. Falcão Vieira, the new board member, was appointed by A-B as part of the Amended and Restated Exchange and Recapitalization Agreement between A-B and CBA, which states that A-B may designate two individuals as directors of CBA.

Mr. Falcão Vieira currently serves as a Vice President for the North America Zone of Anheuser-Busch Companies (A-B). Previously, he held several leadership roles at Ambev Brazil from 2011 to 2017, where he most recently served as Vice President of The High End, and before that as Sales Vice President for the Northeast Region. He has a degree in Business Administration from the Fundação Getulio Vargas in Sao Paulo.

“JP is a great addition to CBA’s Board of Directors,” said David Lord, Chairman, Craft Brew Alliance Board of Directors. “As CBA continues to focus on accelerating its Kona Plus strategy and tapping into Kona’s growing relevance as a global lifestyle brand, JP’s international business experience and knowledge of the high end beer market will be extremely valuable. On behalf of the Board, I also want to acknowledge Michael’s contributions and support of CBA during his time here; we wish him the best of luck in his new role.”

Formed in 2008, CBA portfolio combines the power of Kona Brewing Company, a dynamic, growing national craft beer brand, with regional breweries and innovative lifestyle brands, Appalachian Mountain Brewery, Cisco Brewers, Omission Brewing Co., Redhook Brewery, Square Mile Cider Co., Widmer Brothers Brewing, and Wynwood Brewing Co. CBA is headquartered in Portland, Oregon and operates breweries and brewpubs across the U.S. CBA beers are available in all 50 U.S. states and 30 different countries around the world.

It is widely believed that A-B will soon submit a qualifying offer to acquire the rest of CBA's shares, which the leading brewer does not already own.

Share this article: