New Sales Director joins the Pacific Highway Wines Team in the West
May 4, 2023 – Amid business growth and sales team promotions, Pacific Highway Wines is pleased to welcome experienced Andrew Powell as Director of Sales, Pacific Southwest. He will be responsible for sales and business development across California, Nevada, and Hawaii, based out of Los Angeles, CA. Powell takes over from Allison Lee who has been promoted to the Pacific Highway Wines National Accounts division.
“Andrew joins our growing sales team with a great deal of market knowledge, relationships, experience, and impressive business discipline. We move fast at Pacific Highway, and Andrew is most certainly up to the task.” Confirmed Jerry LaVecchia, National Sales Manager Pacific Highway Wines.
Powell added, “The Pacific Highway company outlook is truly impressive and the portfolio offers a terrific line-up of domestic and international gems. I’m particularly excited by the innovation of many of the wineries and look forward to working with the team to grow these brands and projects.”
Ohio native, Powell completed a bachelor’s degree in business administration with a Marketing focus from Ohio University. His wine industry career started in 2009 with Gallo’s International Division and his roles have spanned both family winery and corporate roles.
Most recently, Powell was the Director for Sheid Vineyards and led growth for central and western states for more than seven years. Prior to that he was the West Director for The Wine Group from 2010 to 2015. Andrew started his wine career with E&J Gallo with International Management and a Sales & Market Development position in Tokyo, Japan. Back in the US with Gallo, he held a cross-functional Project Management role, completing the Black Belt, Lean Six Sigma advanced leadership training certification.
Pacific Highway Wines continues to expand its footprint in the US alcohol beverage industry and has reached an operational level that comfortably allows for dynamic partnerships and a portfolio of innovative and traditional wine brands. The business was recently honored with a coveted Wine Enthusiast Magazine Wine Star Award for ‘Wine Importer of the Year 2022’, along with being celebrated with local business growth awards – ‘Fast 50 Company 2022’ and ‘Fast 50 Company 2021’ by the Triad Business Journal of North Carolina.
“At a time of tremendous company growth and blue skies ahead, Andrew joins our sales team with a great mix of sales growth experience and strategic project acumen. We are confident he will be very successful.” Mark Giordano, President Pacific Highway Wines.
About Pacific Highway Wines
Pacific Highway Wines is a fast-growing, specialized import, sales, and marketing agency headquartered in Greensboro, NC. Owned jointly by New Zealand’s Giesen family and Australia’s Oatley family, the Pacific Highway portfolio showcases independent brands from coveted wine regions across the globe, with offerings from over thirty premium brands spanning Argentina, Australia, California, Chile, France, Italy, New Zealand, Oregon, Spain and Uruguay. The portfolio offers category leadership in innovative NO/Low-Alcohol offerings, Alternative Formats, and Certified Organic and Sustainable offerings. www.pacific-hwy.com
