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Jamie Lissette, who combines operational rigor with a restless entrepreneurial bent, has landed in key operational role at Icelandic Glacial even as CEO Reza Mirza returns his focus exclusively to North American market that's been enjoying burst of profitable growth. Both now will report to chmn Johan Dennelind. "Reza has made a major contribution to Icelandic Glacial and to the commercial progress we are seeing today," per statement from chmn. "I am glad he is now taking on North America, our biggest market, with full focus. His leadership there will be important not only for that business, but for the success of Icelandic Glacial as a whole, in the next phase." As for Lisette, his most familiar past role to BBI readers may have been 4-yr run as COO at Athletic Brewing before he moved on to roles at Popup Bagels and other cos. He's now aboard at LA-based marketer of packaged water sourced in Iceland as chief global operating officer. Dennelind's take: "Jamie comes in to strengthen operations and help accelerate our global expansion. That includes expanded production capacity, stronger logistics, improved coordination across the business and support for the continued development of our international activities. Just as importantly, this role is a key enabler for North America to succeed." Among Lissette's other bev involvements, he's investor and board member at Wild Bill's Craft Beverage and also advises Cape May Brewing. Longtime Wall Streeter Hong Takes CFO Role at Manhattan Beer Manhattan Beer & Beverage Dist's CFO Mark Johnson, a longtime bev industry vet with experience at different Pepsi and Coca-Cola bottling cos, announced his plan to retire Jun 30 after 10 yrs with big NY-metro distributor, Simon, Alex and Mitchel Bergson shared in note to employees. So co's hiring a familiar name in the beer & bev game to take his place. Enter Judy Hong, formerly a bev industry analyst at Goldman Sachs for over 20 yrs before joining cannabevco Canopy Growth in 2019 and rising to CFO there in 2022. She officially joins MBBD as CFO on Jun 15.Bergstein Moves on from 1440 Foods Former Blue Triton CEO Joey Bergstein, who moved on after merger with Primo Brands, has exited CEO role at protein play 1440 Foods after 10 months. Among 1440's brands are Pure Protein and MetRx. He offered no reason for move but expressed gratitude "for having learned a new high-growth category; for working with talented new business partners; and, most importantly, for an exceptional team building a powerful business." He'd earlier made his mark in long runs at P&G, Diageo and Seventh Generation, as well as a CEO stop at Sabra Foods. "As for my next chapter: family, community, advisory & board work and some fun along the way," he posted on LinkedIn. "I plan to make every minute count."At Blake's Beverage, Gleason Will Assess DSD Network Constellation vet Amanda Gleason has signed on to newly created role of chief sales officer at Blake's Beverage, the Armada, Mich, rollup play where her priorities will include "expanding the company's distributor footprint and strengthening route-to-market execution nationwide" via network that includes 240+ distributors spanning 44 states. That chore will include a "comprehensive assessment of the company's distribution network with an eye to strengthening distributor alignment and improving velocity in high-priority markets." Gleason also will "architect the company's total portfolio strategy, helping position its premium, value, regional and innovation-driven offerings to drive deeper penetration across underdeveloped channels, particularly in convenience," per announcement. Blake's portfolio includes Blake&#39;s Hard Cider, Austin Eastciders and Avid Cider Co. Among its most promising entries are Blake's Zero Proof non-alc line and recently launched Giddy Up spirit-forward punch RTD. At Constellation Gleason had most recently served as svp leading commercial performance across a 15-state footprint. She'd spent past 20 yrs there interrupted only by a 2-yr digression to Mark Anthony Brands' Mike's Hard brand.

PEOPLE: Athletic Beer Vet Lissette Takes Icelandic Glacial Ops Role as CEO Mirza Intensifies Focus on N Amer; Manhattan Beer Hires Ex-Analyst, Canopy Growth Exec Hong as Next CFO; Bergstein Exits 1440 Foods; Gleason to Blake's Beverage

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