The 25-year Industry Veteran to Drive Growth and Strengthen Partnerships
April 23, 2026 — Breakthru Beverage Group, one of the leading beverage wholesalers in the United States and the largest broker in Canada, representing a portfolio of premier spirits, wine, beer and non-alcoholic brands, today announced the appointment of Barry Thompson as East Region President, effective May 1. A respected beverage alcohol industry leader with more than 25 years of experience, Thompson most recently has served as the Executive Vice President of Breakthru South Carolina.
“We’re proud to recognize and promote a proven leader within our organization,” said Julian Burzynski, EVP and Chief Operating Officer at Breakthru Beverage Group. “Barry combines strong commercial and general manager experience with a track record for developing high-performing teams, building trusted partnerships and creating a winning culture. As we continue to drive a bigger, stronger, bolder Breakthru, I am confident that he is well-positioned to lead our East Region to even greater success.”
Known for his disciplined, customer-focused and relationship-driven leadership, Thompson has consistently delivered results throughout his tenure at Breakthru, leading various markets in the East, including Florida. Most recently, in South Carolina, he led year-over-year growth while strengthening collaboration with customers and suppliers. In his new role, he will focus on accelerating performance and delivering execution excellence across some of Breakthru’s largest and most strategic markets.
Prior to joining Breakthru, Thompson held leadership roles at Diageo and Charmer Sunbelt. He began his career at PepsiCo, where he led multiple sales and distribution teams.
“I am excited to step into this role and work with the exceptional teams we have in place across the entire East Region,” said Thompson. “Breakthru has tremendous momentum, talented people and a focused growth strategy that I’m energized to support and lead in the region. I look forward to working closely with our customers, suppliers and partners to further build their brands and growth ambitions, while strengthening Breakthru’s position as an industry leader.”
About Breakthru Beverage Group
Breakthru Beverage Group is one of the leading beverage wholesalers in the United States and the largest broker in Canada, representing a portfolio of premier spirits, wine, beer, and non-alcoholic brands. Breakthru is family-owned and operates in 16 markets with more than $8.6 billion in annual sales and a team of 9,000 dedicated associates. The company delivers world-renowned beverage brands to the doorsteps of North America’s retail, convenience, bar, and restaurant businesses, and has been named a “U.S. Best Managed Company” for four years in a row. For more information, visit www.BreakthruBev.com.
