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Signature Wines Hires Former Diageo Exec Brian McGonigle
Leading Custom Label Wine Provider Also Expands Executive Team with New VP Sales and VP Finance
HAYWARD, Calif. - May 20, 2003 - Signature Wines, a premier provider of custom label wines and distinctive wine labels for businesses and individual consumers, announced it has recently hired three new executive team members. Brian McGonigle, formerly with Diageo North America, joins Signature Wines in the newly created position of Vice President of Retail and Distributor Development. Michael Schwab joins as Vice President of Sales, and Chris Fenster takes on the role of Vice President of Finance.
"Hiring Brian, Michael and Chris has been an important part of our strategy to build an experienced and strategic executive team that reflects Signature Wines' new growth and direction," said Scott Cahill, CEO for Signature Wines. "Each of them will be instrumental in helping us continue the momentum we have achieved, while further enabling us to reach our goals as we strive to become the custom label vendor of choice for wine suppliers and marketing partners alike."
Brian McGonigle has extensive supplier and operator side experience, including over six years as Beverage Director and Wine Buyer for high volume concepts in San Francisco, Aspen and Washington, D.C. Prior to joining Signature Wines, he was with Diageo North America as Director of National Account Sales and Marketing. At Diageo, Brian managed a portfolio that included Beaulieu Vineyards, Sterling Vineyards, Barton & Guestier, Trimbach and many of the top French Bordeaux and Burgundy Chateau properties including Lafite, Margaux, Latour and Haut-Brion. Previously, Brian worked for the on-premise groups at Constellation Brands as Director of National Accounts and at U.S. Concepts, where he directed the regional marketing and promotions effort for Schieffelin & Somerset. Brian has also managed the local off-premise teams at both Constellation and Barton. Brian graduated from Colgate University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in both Political Science and Economics.
"The opportunities that Signature Wines brings to its wine supplier, distributor and operator partners are phenomenal," said Brian McGonigle, Signature Wines' VP of Retail and Distributor Development. "The company offers a truly unique value proposition to both customers and partners including industry-leading design capabilities, the highest quality wines, minimum order levels within the comfort zone of small operators, and excellent customer service. Signature Wines' unique customization and integrated web site technology gives us a tremendous competitive advantage."
Also new to Signature Wines is Michael Schwab, Vice President of Sales. Michael has fourteen years of sales and sales management experience, and oversees the direct sales, post sales and account management teams at the company. He is primarily focused on increasing revenues from existing sales divisions as well as creating strategy for new sales channels. Prior to joining Signature Wines, Michael spent several years in high technology, specializing in developing sales teams, systems and strategies for early stage, enterprise class software firms including Idiom Technologies and Revenio Inc. He received his Bachelor of Science in Political Science from the University of Oregon.
"I'm excited to be part of the Signature Wines team," said Michael Schwab, VP Sales for Signature Wines. "The company has experienced steady growth and is in a tremendous position to further that trajectory with some dynamic new programs and a solid base of customers in place."
Chris Fenster joins Signature Wines as Vice President of Finance, focused on building the financial operations infrastructure necessary to accommodate the company's continued growth. Chris brings over a dozen years experience in various executive financial roles for consumer-focused organizations to his role at Signature Wines. Previously, he was Finance Director for The Tides Center/Tsunami Fund, a $70 Million non-profit financial services organization. Prior to that, he spent six years as CFO for Swobo Clothing, a leading cycling apparel manufacturer. He was previously Vice President of Operations for Start to Finish, a Bay Area cycling retailer. Like Brian, Chris also graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in both Economics and Political Science from Colgate University.
"Signature Wines is well-positioned to accommodate future growth with a solid management team, excellent customer service and a dynamic and creative marketing and design group," said Chris Fenster, Signature Wines' VP Finance. "The opportunities for this company are tremendous, and I'm pleased to be a part of it."
Signature Wines is a leading provider of custom label wines for clients in the retail, university, corporate gift-giving, events, real estate, and hospitality industries as well as to individuals and consumers looking to personalize gifts and special occasions.
About Signature Wines
Signature Wines is a premier provider of custom label wines and distinctive wine labels for businesses and individual consumers. Founded in 1998, the company has partnerships with world-renowned wineries such as Ravenswood, Robert Mondavi, Kendall-Jackson, Chateau Ste Michelle and Franciscan Oakville Estate. Blackridge Canyon is the company's own award winning line of California premium wines and sparkling wines. Signature Wines specializes in helping university, hospitality, retail and corporate clients enhance their brands and product offerings, impress their customers and positively impact their bottom line through customized programs that generate brand awareness and customer loyalty. The company also works with individuals to create unique and memorable gifts, events and occasions. Signature Wines uniquely serves its clients through its excellent quality wines, an award-winning design team, stunning design labels and templates, customized branding and marketing, and creative gift and wine accessories.
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