RALEIGH, N.C. (Sept. 17, 2019)SOCIAL HOUSE® Vodka, the handcrafted and gluten-free vodka brand from North Carolina, today announced Marnina Queen as its vice president of sales. Queen brings more than 20 years of marketing leadership and 14 years of Alcoholic Beverage Control experience to lead sales initiatives for North Carolina’s No. 1 top-selling craft vodka.

Queen’s shift from a long, impactful career with North Carolina ABC Boards to working for a local craft spirits company enables her to grow a brand in her home state. SOCIAL HOUSE®​ Vodka is focused on supporting North Carolina, from revitalizing an old power plant for its Kinston distillery and employing community members, to utilizing the Black Creek Aquifer and sourcing products from local farmers.

“Marnina brings incredible energy to the team as a highly-regarded, dynamic force in the beverage industry. We are privileged to welcome such an effective leader aboard with a tremendous amount of experience in retail, sales and merchandising​,” said Cary Joshi, president, SOCIAL HOUSE®​ Vodka. “Marnina will be an asset as we transform the way we do business at the distillery, particularly because of the new modernization bill that went into effect this month. In-house tastings, unlimited bottle sales and cocktail creations will bring retailers and consumers alike further into the SOCIAL HOUSE®​ family fold.”

Queen’s knowledge and leadership capabilities set her apart as one of the leading executives in the spirits industry. Prior to joining SOCIAL HOUSE®​ Vodka, Queen served as the chief executive officer of the New Hanover County Alcohol Beverage Control Board, where she oversaw the $48 million company, led the charge for responsible alcohol training and actively contributed to the program evaluations to improve North Carolina’s system. She also held leadership roles with the Greensboro ABC Board and North Carolina ABC Commission. A veteran, Queen previously served for more than a decade in the U.S. Air Force as a non-commissioned officer in charge of the Emergency Department and Primary Care Clinic at the Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, responsible for 150 employees and a $16 million budget while overseeing 65 million dollars’ worth of equipment and supplies.

SOCIAL HOUSE®​ Vodka recently welcomed additional key hires, including Master Distiller Grady Knight, a biochemist and chemical engineer responsible for distillery operations and product portfolio development, and Vice President of Research & Strategy Courtney Aiken, a craft spirits marketing expert leading brand development with consumer and trade insights.

“In bringing Marnina, Grady and Courtney on board, we have assembled a powerhouse team of masters in their respective areas of expertise,” continued Joshi. “These strategic hires will exponentially impact our growth initiatives, innovation and consumer offerings for SOCIAL HOUSE®​ Vodka.”

Founded by close friends and experienced trailblazers within the restaurant, hospitality and spirits industries, SOCIAL HOUSE®​ Vodka set out to activate the power of friendship and create a premium vodka made from farm-to-flask in North Carolina at its renovated Kinston distillery, Three Stacks Distilling Company. Most recently, SOCIAL HOUSE®​ Vodka took home Gold for Best Beverage & Best Decorations at Epicurean Evening in Wilmington on Thursday, Aug. 29, a local fundraiser showcasing unique food, creative beverages and live and silent auctions.

To find the nearest ABC store or restaurant location offering ​SOCIAL HOUSE®​Vodka, visit www.socialhousevodka.com/where-to-buy.

About SOCIAL HOUSE®​ Vodka

SOCIAL HOUSE®​ Vodka, a farm-to-flask spirits brand, artfully crafts the highest-quality, locally sourced and authentically American vodka for all to enjoy their own “SOCIAL HOUSE®​ Moments.” From milestone celebrations to impromptu gatherings, SOCIAL HOUSE®​ Vodka accompanies those opportunities to create, discover, experience and better enjoy life’s moments with friends and loved ones. At SOCIAL HOUSE®​ Vodka, the power of friendship is king, wholeheartedly believing that when good friends come together, great things can happen. That’s how the journey began and how it will continue. For more information, visit www.socialhousevodka.com or engage with SOCIAL HOUSE®​ Vodka using #LiveSocially via www.facebook.com/socialhousevodka, www.twitter.com/socialhousevodka and www.instagram.com/socialhousevodka. Live Socially. Enjoy Responsibly.™

 

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Media Contact:

Jen Caro

Largemouth Communications

jennifer@largemouthpr.com / media@socialhousevodka.com

(919) 459-6456

 

 

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