Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits, the world’s largest wholesale distributor of beverage alcohol, announced that President Sheldon “Shelly” Stein will retire, effective July 1. The company has headquarters in Dallas and Miami.
Stein played a critical role in the successful merger of Southern Wine & Spirits and Glazer’s Distributors in 2016, establishing Southern Glazer’s as the largest wholesaler in the industry.
“Shelly has been a transformative leader at Southern Glazer’s, leading the integration that made it possible for Southern Glazer’s to become the first truly cross-continental wholesaler,” CEO Wayne E. Chaplin said in a statement. “With his contributions, we established a structure that enables us to deliver the best portfolio of products across North America.”
Following his retirement from Southern Glazer’s, Stein will continue to serve as an adviser to the company’s board of managers. He will also remain in his role as CEO of Glazer’s Beer and Beverage, a wholesale beer distribution business operating in Arkansas, Louisiana and Texas under the ownership of the Glazer family.
Also, Stein will continue to serve on the board of advisers for Deutsch Family Wine and Spirits and as the chair of the advisory board for WES Brands, whose portfolio currently includes Flecha Azul Tequila and BSB Flavored Whiskey.
Transforming ‘the future of the beverage alcohol industry’
Stein was appointed president and CEO of Glazer’s Distributors in 2010. Before that, he was vice chairman of global investment banking at Bank of America Merrill Lynch where he served as Glazer’s Distributors lead adviser. He worked closely with the Glazer family and executive team as well as its suppliers on many strategic fronts.
Before joining Merrill Lynch, Stein was a senior managing director at Bear, Stearns & Co. Inc. for more than 20 years. Stein previously served as a partner in the Dallas law firm of Hughes & Luce.
“Over the years, Shelly has become a trusted partner and advisor,” Bennett Glazer, executive vice chairman at Southern Glazer’s and chairman of the board and CEO of Glazer’s Inc., said in a statement. “From day one, he has been a transformative leader that has impacted the future of the beverage alcohol industry through his expertise and forward thinking.”
The company said that Stein’s ability to build strong relationships with suppliers and customers has been instrumental in driving collaboration and delivering exceptional results.
“I am grateful to have the pleasure of working with both the Chaplin and Glazer families in my capacity as president at Southern Glazer’s and have truly been inspired to drive strategic transformation, innovation and success within the company,” Stein said in a statement. “In my new role as an adviser to the company’s board of managers, I will strive to continue to create those opportunities for the next generation of leaders and beyond to maintain its status as the industry leader.”
Get on the list.
Dallas Innovates, every day.
Sign up to keep your eye on what’s new and next in Dallas-Fort Worth, every day.
R E A D N E X T
-
Southern Glazer's, headquartered in Miami with a base in Dallas, says that diverse-owned distillers and wine producers are underrepresented in the industry because they've historically lacked access to networks, representation, and industry tools and resources. Its academy's eLearning modules will give participants "valuable knowledge necessary for them to gain or expand distribution of their brands," the company said.
-
Republic National Distributing, a Grand Prairie-based beverage alcohol distributor, is kicking off Women’s History Month with “Powered by Women,” a campaign honoring female pioneers in the wine and spirits industry. As part of the campaign, scholarship funds will be raised via an NFT auction. Throughout March, Republic will auction off custom-made digital collectibles (including the above) designed by digital artist Chelsy Escalona.
-
Based in Dallas and Miami, Southern Glazer's Wine and Spirits—a leading distributor operating in 44 states—spotted 2022's hottest innovations by sampling 431 drinks in 83 restaurants, bars, and hotels across the U.S. From chilling red wines to "batching" fast cocktails to using smoke and "air" for flair, businesses across North Texas and around the country can take on these trends, too. “These unique insights can be incorporated into any on-premise business to build greater success through strategic and innovative beverage programs,” says Southern Glazer's Brian Masilionis.
-
Capital One is partnering with Bonton Farms, Harmony CDC, The Real Estate Council (TREC) and TREC Community Investors to close gaps in equity and opportunity in some of Southern Dallas’ most impoverished zip codes.
-
Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson called it a "game-changing investment in the people and families of southern Dallas.” And there’s little doubt the Southern Gateway Park will be transformative once it opens as planned next year. “We are on track to break ground on the park’s amenities later this spring and open as scheduled in 2024,” a spokesperson for the Southern Gateway Public Green Foundation told WFAA this week, adding that $3 million in new funding has been secured since January 1 for the $172 million project.
