Montanya Distillers, a craft rum distillery and Certified B Corporation®, names Rob Richardson as National Head of Sales for its rum portfolio. Rob joins Montanya with more than three decades of experience in the wholesale industry. For the past 22 years, he has worked at Republic National Distributing Company (RNDC), most recently serving as Vice President of Artisan Spirits Sales for Texas, and before that as Vice President of Spirits Sales in Colorado. Prior to joining RNDC, Richardson served as the GM/VP of Sales at Breakthru Beverage Group/Beverage Distributor Company.

“I have known Rob for more than ten years, since the early days of Montanya Distillers. He was one of the first industry insiders to take a chance on me. I have always been impressed by his quiet accomplishments, industry knowledge and character,” said Karen Hoskin, Montanya Distillers’ founder and owner. “I didn’t dare hope I could attract a candidate of Rob’s caliber, but I am known for aiming high and dreaming big. Rob reminds me of what is best about distributor partnerships when all the players are aligned toward the same goals.”

Initially, Richardson will focus on sales and distribution for Montanya’s home state of Colorado, as well as NY, NJ, TX and CA, and then he’ll help the company expand other key markets nationally.

“I have always had a place in my heart for Montanya, especially loving its creativity and proven track record for excellent rums,” said Richardson. “Now I have a chance to be part of the family. I look forward to this new opportunity to help more people discover why I and so many others love Montanya rums. I can’t stop smiling, I just got the best job ever.” 

Richardson will stay with RNDC through the end of March to assist with the hiring and training of his replacement. He’ll relocate back to Colorado, his home state, along with his husband Joe and dog Duke. The move will bring him closer to his two children and his 9 month-old grandson.

To learn more about Montanya rums, the distillery, distribution, and the company’s focus on sustainability visit MontanyaRum.com. To connect with Rob his email address is Rob@montanyadistillers.com and phone number is 970-799-3206 ext 708. 

About Montanya Distillers
Montanya Distillers, a Certified B Corporation® located in Crested Butte, Colo., is a craft rum distillery in the heart of the Colorado Rocky Mountains. Its distilling process uses old-world artisan traditions, combining science with art. By using natural American ingredients, Montanya has created aged rums that have received 18 Gold and Silver medals in international competitions. These rums reflect both Montanya Distillers’ mountain culture and a new American rum tradition. Montanya produces Platino Light rum, Oro Dark rum, and a longer-aged, limited-edition rum called Exclusiva. The company was named the Craft Distillery of the Year by the American Distilling Institute, American Rum of the Year in Berlin, and celebrated its 10th anniversary in 2018. Learn more at MontanyaRum.com.

About Karen Hoskin
Karen Hoskin, founder, owner and CEO of Montanya Distillers, has become known nationally for her advocacy for gender diversity and sustainability in the craft spirits industry. She is a frequent speaker at The American Distilling Institute (ADI) and American Craft Spirits Association (ACSA) conferences, as well The Miami Rum Congress, NY Rum Congress, and at colleges and universities. She was the first female to receive The Bubble Cap Award for Distiller of the Year from ADI and the first female to keynote the ADI Conference in 2017. Karen founded the Women’s Distillery Guild, which is now a subgroup of Women of the Vine & Spirits, to provide community and support for women in craft spirits. She is a respected voice for environmental sustainability and waste reduction in the alcohol beverage industry and has published many articles as the Sustainability Correspondent for Distiller Magazine. Karen holds a Master of Science degree from the University of Colorado. Learn more at www.karenhoskin.com

About Constellation Brands
Constellation Brands (NYSE: STZ and STZ.B), a Fortune 500® company, is a leading international producer and marketer of beer, wine and spirits with operations in the U.S., Mexico, New Zealand, Italy and Canada. Constellation is the No. 3 beer company in the U.S. with high-end, iconic imported beer brands such as the Corona and Modelo brand families and Pacifico. The company’s portfolio includes a collection of highly-rated brands such as SIMI and Mount Veeder Winery wine brands, Kim Crawford, High West Whiskey and Casa Noble Tequila, as well as new wine innovations such as Cooper & Thief and Spoken Barrel.  Other brands in the venture portfolio are Catoctin Creek Whiskey, Copper and Kings Brandy, Black Button Whiskey, El Silencio Mezcal, Austin Cocktails and Vivify Beverages. 

Based in Victor, N.Y., the company believes that “industry leadership involves a commitment to brand building, our trade partners, the environment, our investors and to consumers around the world who choose our products when celebrating big moments or enjoying quiet ones.” Since its founding in 1945, Constellation’s ability to see, meet and stay ahead of shifting consumer preferences and trends across total beverage alcohol has fueled our success and made us the No. 1 growth contributor in beverage alcohol in the U.S.

To learn more, follow Constellation on Twitter @cbrands and visit www.cbrands.com.

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