Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits Promotes Marty Crane to Executive Vice President, Subregional General Manager

- Justin Sankey appointed as Senior Vice President, General Manager, Massachusetts –

Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits (Southern Glazer’s) – the world’s preeminent distributor of beverage alcohol – today announced that it has appointed Marty Crane to the role of Executive Vice President, Subregional General Manager, New York & Southern Glazer’s Beverage Company of Massachusetts & Rhode Island, effective February 1, 2025.

In this role, Crane will report to Scott Oppenheimer, President, East Region, Southern Glazer’s. Crane will continue to oversee the New York market until his replacement is named and will lead the integration of the newly acquired Horizon Beverage Company (Horizon), one of New England’s premier alcohol distributors, into Southern Glazer’s business. Horizon’s former operations in Massachusetts and Rhode Island now operate under the name Southern Glazer’s Beverage Company.

“Marty is the ideal candidate to integrate and help manage Southern Glazer’s Beverage Company,” said Oppenheimer. “He has spent a tremendous amount of time in the Massachusetts and Rhode Island markets as a supplier and has a deep understanding of how those markets operate. Over the last eight years of managing our business in New York, Marty has proven to be an exceptional leader and curator of talent.”

Crane began his career with Southern Glazer’s in 2016 as Vice President, Commercial Operations, New York. He was then promoted to Executive Vice President, General Manager, New York. Prior to joining Southern Glazer’s, Crane worked in various executive management positions of increasing responsibility at Pernod Ricard USA, ultimately serving as Senior Vice President of Spirit Sales.

Also joining the Southern Glazer’s Beverage Company team as Senior Vice President, General Manager, Massachusetts will be Justin Sankey, effective February 1, 2025. In this new role, Sankey will report to Crane. Sankey will focus on embedding Southern Glazer’s industry leading tools and resources into the Massachusetts market and will work with all existing commercial leadership. Current day-to-day management will remain intact, ensuring stability and continuity for valued customers and suppliers. Sankey will be based out of the facility located in Norton, Massachusetts and will benefit greatly from the institutional knowledge of the Epstein and Rubenstein families.

Sankey joined the Southern Glazer’s team as Vice President, Sales & Operations, American Liberty Division Florida in 2016. Over the past nine years, Sankey has worked in various leadership positions of increasing responsibility for different Southern Glazer’s markets, most recently serving as Vice President, Commercial Operations, Florida. Prior to joining Southern Glazer’s, Sankey worked at Pernod Ricard USA for nine years. An announcement for his replacement is forthcoming.

“Justin has demonstrated a great ability to enter new markets in senior roles and have an immediate and lasting impact,” said Oppenheimer. “We are thrilled that Justin will play a key part in the integration of Horizon. I’m confident that his leadership and talent will drive outstanding results for the Massachusetts market.”

Bob Swartz, who previously led Horizon’s Rhode Island operations, will continue to oversee Rhode Island as part of Southern Glazer’s Beverage Company and will report directly to Crane.

Gregg Quadrini, who previously led Horizon’s beer business in Massachusetts and Rhode Island, will continue to lead the beer business for Southern Glazer’s Beverage Company and will report directly to Crane.

About Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits

Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits is the world’s preeminent distributor of beverage alcohol, building brands for moments that matter. The multi-generational, family-owned Company has operations in 47 U.S. markets and Canada, as well as brokerage operations through its WEBB Banks division in the Caribbean, Central and South America. In 2024, Southern Glazer’s was recognized by Newsweek as one of America’s Greatest Workplaces for Diversity and America’s Greatest Workplaces for Women. Southern Glazer’s urges all retail customers and adult consumers to market, sell, serve, and enjoy its products responsibly. For more information visit www.southernglazers.com. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @sgwinespirits.

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