Wayne E. Chaplin Assumes Added Responsibility of Chief Executive Officer; Harvey R. Chaplin to Remain Chairman
MIAMI–(BUSINESS WIRE) — Harvey R. Chaplin, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Southern Wine & Spirits of America, Inc. (Southern) — the nation’s leading wine and spirits distributor with operations in 35 states — announced today that current Southern President and Chief Operating Officer, Wayne E. Chaplin, will add Chief Executive Officer to his role, effective immediately.
Of this natural progression, Harvey R. Chaplin said, “I’m pleased to announce that my son, Wayne, who has led Southern’s day-to-day operations for the last decade, has accepted the additional duties of CEO for Southern Wine & Spirits of America. With his 30 years of experience at Southern, the time is right for Wayne to lead Southern into the future. I must add that Wayne’s contribution to Southern’s overall growth and success during his tenure — along with the support of our senior executive team — has been tremendous. Over the coming weeks, Wayne will share additional announcements regarding Southern’s Corporate Team — all for the benefit of our suppliers, trading partners and Southern team members.”
Chaplin added, “I will continue my active role as Chairman — or as I like to call it — ‘Head of the How-Come Department’, providing strategic guidance with Wayne in support of the company’s long-term strategy.”
Commenting on his appointment, Wayne E. Chaplin remarked, “I’m honored to accept the title of President and CEO of Southern. As one of the original company founders, my dad has spent the past 45 years focused on delivering the best sales and service to our customers, stewarding our suppliers’ brands, and establishing the ‘Southern Family’ culture for all 14,000 employees. He has also been a coach, mentor and role model for me — for which I am eternally grateful.”
Additional key Southern organizational announcements are forthcoming.
About Southern Wine & Spirits of America, Inc.
Southern Wine & Spirits of America, Inc. is the nation’s largest wine and spirits distributor and broker with operations in 35 markets. The multi-state distributor currently operates in: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Florida, Kentucky, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Montana, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia and Wyoming. Southern also holds operating licenses and permits in Nebraska and Texas. On a national basis, Southern Wine & Spirits of America, Inc. employs more than 14,000 team members. Southern urges all retail customers and adult consumers to market, sell, serve and enjoy its products responsibly. For more information about Southern and its responsible consumption program, see: http://www.southernwine.com.