MGP任命前保乐力加高管执掌关键管理岗位

Third-party producer MGP Ingredients has expanded its team with four new hires including former Diageo and Pernod Ricard executive Tom Neiheisel as vice-president of Distilling Solutions sales.

With two decades of spirits experience, Neiheisel joins MGP from the US arm of French firm Pernod Ricard, where he was most recently the director of bulk whiskey sales and contract distillation. Prior to his four years at Pernod, Neiheisel spent seven years at Diageo working in roles across its North American distilleries. Before Diageo, he worked at Jack Daniel’s maker Brown-Forman for nearly nine years, including the position of director of sourcing.  In his new role at MGP, Neiheisel will lead MGP’s Distilling Solutions business, overseeing sales strategy, customer engagement and business development. Sol Clahane has joined MGP as managing director, national accounts, driving both on- and off-premise national chain sales across the company’s Branded Spirits portfolio. Clahane has held senior leadership roles at Pernod Ricard USA and Brown-Forman.  In her role, she will focus on expanding strategic partnerships in underdeveloped national accounts and channels, and accelerating growth for MGP’s spirits brands.  Marilyn Chen joins the company as brand director for Penelope Bourbon after serving as US brand director at Suntory Global Spirits. She will be in charge of brand marketing and innovation, as well as expanding the brand ambassador programme and building new marketing capabilities. MGP said Chen’s appointment reflects the company’s ‘continued investment’ in the Penelope brand, which recently launched in the UK. Meanwhile, David Sanders is MGP’s new vice-president of financial planning and analysis. He brings more than 18 years of finance and strategic planning experience to MGP, including senior roles at Southern Glazer’s, PepsiCo and Bimbo Bakeries.  MGP said the four new hires are designed to strengthen the company’s commercial and marketing capabilities across its Distilling Solutions and Branded Spirits divisions. “We’re building on the strength of an exceptional team at MGP, and these additions further strengthen our leadership as we execute our long-term growth strategy,” said Julie Francis, president and CEO. “Tom, Sol, Marilyn and David each bring deep experience in commercial leadership, customer partnerships, brand building and finance. Their expertise, combined with the talented team already in place, will help us deepen customer relationships, accelerate growth across our premium portfolio and continue creating long-term value.” The new appointments follow a disappointing sales performance for MGP. The company reported a 40% sales drop for its Distilling Solutions segment in the first quarter of 2026.