El Tequileño Welcomes Former Jackson Family Wines CEO Rick Tigner to Executive Leadership Team

Globally respected beverage-alcohol executive brings more than three decades of commercial leadership and brand-building experience to support El Tequileño’s international growth

Tequila, Jalisco – October 5 – Paradise Spirits, owner of the award-winning El Tequileño tequila brand, today announced that Rick Tigner, former President and Chief Executive Officer of Jackson Family Wines, has joined its executive leadership team, bringing more than three decades of experience building and scaling premium beverage brands in the United States and around the world.

Tigner brings deep expertise across global sales, distributor management, route-to-market strategy and premium brand development. In his new role, he will work alongside Paradise Spirits’ leadership to strengthen the company’s commercial capabilities and distributor partnerships while helping guide the continued expansion of El Tequileño across the United States and key international markets.

"Rick is one of the most accomplished and respected commercial leaders in beverage alcohol," said Wayne Henuset, Founder and President of Paradise Spirits. "He understands every facet of building an enduring brand, from producing exceptional liquid and cultivating strong distributor partnerships to creating meaningful connections with consumers. His experience and perspective will be invaluable as we build on El Tequileño's momentum and enter its next chapter of global growth."

Tigner joined Kendall-Jackson in 1991 as Western Division Manager and rose through a series of senior commercial leadership positions before being named President of Jackson Family Wines in 2010 and Chief Executive Officer in 2015. During his tenure, he helped transform the family-owned company into a major global wine business, with a portfolio that grew to encompass more than 40 wineries across prominent wine regions in eight countries.

Over the course of his career, Tigner has held leadership responsibilities spanning sales, marketing, distributor relations, operations, finance, production and long-term portfolio development, giving him a uniquely comprehensive perspective on building and sustaining premium beverage brands at scale. His industry recognition includes being named Market Watch Industry Executive of the Year in 2022 and Wine Executive of the Year in the Wine Enthusiast 2025 Wine Star Awards. He retired from Jackson Family Wines in 2026.

"El Tequileño has all the qualities that distinguish brands with enduring international potential: authenticity, exceptional liquid, committed ownership and a compelling story deeply rooted in place and family," said Tigner. "There is tremendous opportunity ahead, and I am excited to work with the team to expand the brand’s commercial reach, deepen its global partnerships and introduce this remarkable tequila to more consumers around the world."

Founded in Tequila, Jalisco, in 1959 by Don Jorge Salles Cuervo, El Tequileño has remained steadfastly rooted in the traditions and craftsmanship of its historic birthplace for more than six decades. Every expression is produced exclusively at La Guarreña distillery, where the brand marries mature agave from Los Altos de Jalisco with natural volcanic spring water from Volcán de Tequila using time-honored production methods. Today, El Tequileño is distributed in more than 49 countries, with Tigner’s appointment marking the latest step in the brand’s continued global expansion.

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About Paradise Spirits and El Tequileño

Paradise Spirits owns El Tequileño, an iconic tequila producer that singularly focuses on craft and quality. El Tequileño was founded in 1959 by the legendary tequila industry pioneer, Don Jorge Salles Cuervo. Overseen by third-generation master distiller Jorge Antonio Salles, the family’s legacy and expertise has been passed through generations to ensure only the finest quality tequila is produced to this day. El Tequileño is exclusively produced at La Guarreña distillery; no other tequila has ever been produced there. The brand portfolio includes Blanco, Reposado, Platinum, Reposado Gran Reserva, Añejo Gran Reserva, Cristalino, Still Strength Blanco, The Sassenach Select, Extra Añejo, and the world’s first Reposado Rare.

MEDIA CONTACT

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