OUR TEAM
principle. “Good people, who enjoy what they do, will do good work”. The strong relationships
built over the years with our distributor partners and customers show everyday in the results
we achieve for our partners.
Ashley Burnette
Ashley has extensive experience in the distribution tier. He held many significant positions at Young's Market Company, the last being Executive Vice President of Marketing and Internal Operations. This experience gives him a unique perspective on how distributors and suppliers effectively work together to grow and develop brands, and he now utilizes that experience to the benefit of our portfolio. He is a results-driven, execution oriented, decisive leader with a proven track record of success. Ashley resides in Southern California and works across all aspects of our business to monitor sales execution, ensure strategy is consistent and our clients' goals are being achieved.
ashley@twenty20beverages.comAshley Burnette
Partner/Co-founder
John Ormiston
John has held leadership positions with some of the world’s largest wine and spirit producers. He has been involved in the development of successful brands including Jack Daniel’s, Woodford Reserve, Pinnacle Vodka, Herradura Tequila, Sonoma Cutrer, Benziger and Fetzer Wines. He led the creation of the Alliance Company, a joint venture between Brown Forman and Bacardi, two of the world’s largest spirits producers. He created 1026 Beverage Company in 2015 which later developed into 2020 Beverages and is a leader in sales and marketing management in the wine and spirits industry. He received his MBA from Pepperdine University in 2000.
john@twenty20beverages.comJohn Ormiston
Partner/Co-founder
Damien Pascale
Damien is an accomplished liquor industry leader with extensive experience in strategic and tactical planning, trade channel management, portfolio management, pricing & programming, as well as budgeting. He has worked for and with top companies in the industry including Youngs Market Company, RNDC, Brown Forman, Bacardi, Remy Cointreau, Fifth Generation, Heaven Hill, Sazerac, and Proximo. He has helped introduce and/or manage many of the industries most successful brands.
damien.pascale@twenty20beverages.comDamien Pascale
Director, Portfolio Management
Clint Schwald
Clint is highly skilled at brand building. He has always had a passion for creating wildly creative ideas for the beverage, hospitality, entertainment, retail and consumer-facing companies. Prior to joining Twenty20 Beverages, Clint enjoyed 17 years of success as founder of Big Idea Marketing, Inc and prior to that held senior level marketing positions with Black Angus FunBars, Taco Bell, Chevy's Fresh Mex and T.G.I. Fridays. Clint has been a featured speaker at a variety of restaurant trade shows and has had articles published in major publications including Nation's Restaurant News. Clint lives in Southern CA with his wife and two daughters and enjoys family time, hiking, cooking, wine tasting and rooting on his San Francisco Giants.
clint.schwald@twenty20beverages.comClint Schwald
Director of Marketing
Chris Burnette
Chris has grown up in an industry family. His mother, father, aunt, and uncle have all enjoyed long careers in the Wine and Spirits industry working for such great companies as Brown Forman, Heublein, Youngs Market Company and Wine Warehouse. Chris is a graduate of Cal Poly Pomona with a degree in Business Management and Human Resources. Chris enjoys playing baseball, and rooting for the Washington Nationals and Kanas City Chiefs.
christopher@twenty20beverages.comChris Burnette
Operations Manager
Darren Kohlenberger
Darren has an extensive background in the spirits industry having worked for top companies, such as Brown-Forman and MGP. He has a successful track record across a variety of roles, including both on and off premise, as well as national accounts. In his spare time, Darren enjoys being around his family and playing in his ice hockey league.
darren.kohlenberger@twenty20beverages.comDarren Kohlenberger
Director
Great Lakes Region
Brian Prawl
Brian is a service-driven and detail-oriented professional bringing years of progressive leadership and success through every tier of the Wine and Spirits industry. He has held senior roles with industry leading companies such as Brown-Forman, Santa Margherita USA, and MGP. Brian has worked on Iconic brands such as Jack Daniels, Woodford Reserve, Herradura and Santa Margherita as well as developed and launched brands like George Remus, TILL Vodka and Rossville Union. Brian is a top-performing and adaptable leader, with strong business alliances.
brian.prawl@twenty20beverages.comBrian Prawl
Director
Mid America Region
Scott Vanderpool
Scott is a charismatic leader with a broad background in sales, marketing, brand building, advertising and consumer and market research. Working for top tier companies like Coors Brewing Company, Brown-Forman, Pernod-Ricard and MGP Ingredients Scott has established a proven record of success. Scott has launched new brands and line extensions, guided mature global brands, managed both open and control markets, and built programs with national and regional chain customers.
scott.vanderpool@twenty20beverages.comScott Vanderpool
Director
South Central Region
George Puyana
George is an accomplished consumer goods leader with over 15 years experience in the wine and spirits industry in a variety of General Management roles helping some of the most prominent brands in the industry unlock their potential in the US, Canada and Latin America. His strengths are in strategic business development, creating dynamic plans focused on route to market and route to consumer, as well as development and management of impactful marketing plans at all levels of investment. George is results driven and focused on long term brand growth. George resides in South Florida and is fluent in English and Spanish, with a solid working knowledge of French. He has a BS in Civil Engineering and an MBA from Washington University in St. Louis.
george.puyana@twenty20beverages.comGeorge Puyana
Director
Southeast Region
Bill Cotopolis
Bill is a highly skilled and respected sales and marketing executive. During his career, he has held key leadership positions with some of the world’s largest wine and spirits producers. Most recently, as Director of National Accounts for 1821 Fine Wine & Spirits where he was responsible for business development at Kroger, Target, Walgreens, Costco and many other key national retail accounts. Prior to that he was Midwest Regional Sales Manager for Riboli Family Wine Estates. Bill began his career at Brown-Forman where he honed his management skills in various director and regional positions, the last being Strategic Accounts Director On-Premise for the central US and Canada. Bill resides in the Chicago metro area.
bill.cotopolis@twenty20beverages.comBill Cotopolis
Director
Mid West Region
Marc Mueller
Marc Mueller is a 28-year veteran in the beverage industry holding positions in sales, marketing and trade development that has given him a unique view of positioning brands, crafting creative business solutions and delivering bottom line results. Marc has built a solid foundation of distributor and trade relationships while working at Gallo Wines, Seagram Beverage Company, InBev, Diageo Spirits, Southern Glazer Wine & Spirits and RNDC/Young’s Market Company which has been vital to the on-going growth of the brand portfolios he has represented. He will now bring his industry expertise and leadership to Twenty20 Beverages team.
marc.mueller@twenty20beverages.comMarc Mueller
Director
West
Jess Nelson
Jess started in the food and beverage industry while in college in working in fine dining restaurants. Upon graduation, she ventured into the beer industry working on the distributor side in both on and off premise. Jess excels in areas including brand marketing, management, sales and customer service. She is passionate about the beverage industry and the state of Michigan. Jess loves the outdoors. Her hobbies include paddle boarding, fishing, hunting, and traveling around the state with her dog.
jess.nelson@twenty20beverages.comJess Nelson
Area Sales Manager
Michigan
Nicholaus Jones
Nicholaus is a detail oriented, enthusiastic beverage professional. Nicholaus has excellent customer service and sales skills, and customers enjoy working with him. Versatility, energy and a strong work ethic are all words that describe him. Nicholaus is extremely passionate about the beverage industry, and is constantly looking for ways to further his knowledge. Taking care of the brands and customers he is responsible for is his highest priority. In his free time, Nicholaus enjoys being a father and volunteering as a coach for his son’s various sports endeavors.
nicholaus.jones@twenty20beverages.comNicholaus Jones
Area Sales Manager
Indiana
David Bredine
David has been in the Spirit and Wine Industry for many years on both the distributor and supplier side. David has worked with Sazerac, Margaritaville, Luxco and Southern Starz. David understands what it takes to build brands having had great success building both the Fireball and Buffalo Trace brands in Colorado. When David is not out in the market, he will most likely be found on the golf course working on his golf game.
david.bredine@twenty20beverages.comDavid Bredine
Area Sales Manager
Colorado
Brad Brown
Brad developed an interest in wines and spirits while working at an off-premise account as a buyer. He later moved to the distribution side of the industry working for D&E of Glazer’s, then becoming a district sales manager. Brad is extremely customer driven and has enjoyed working with family-owned wineries and distilleries. Building brands in the marketplace been his passion and he has been quite successful with countless new product launches. At the end of has workday, he enjoys spending time with his dog and hitting a few golf balls.
brad.brown@twenty20beverages.comBrad Brown
Area Sales Manager
Missouri & Down State Illinois
Melissa Flores
Melissa was born and raised in Mexico City, and has a degree in Marketing from Universidad del Valle de Mexico. Melissa moved to Tampa, Florida 10 years ago and has been working in the spirits industry for over 8 years. Initially, successfully opening a new spirit category in a new market - Mezcal in Florida! She later managed the Florida market as a regional business development manager for a new London Gin and Russian Vodka. Her experience is in brand positioning, distribution, territory management, new business development and hands on sales including coordinating tastings and new account sales for both on and off premise. Melissa is a fitness enthusiast, go getter, hustler, proud Mom of a 9 year old daughter and 11 year old son and fluent Spanglish speaker.
melissa.flores@twenty20beverages.comMelissa Flores
Area Sales Manager
West Central Florida
Sherry Zuchowski
Sherry is originally from Buffalo NY where her successful career in hospitality and liquor sales began. Sherry spent 8 years at Southern Glazers Wine & Spirits as a key account manager working on suppliers such as Beam Suntory, Bacardi Sazerac & Pernod Ricard, in addition to many others. She has experience across the on and off premise channels.
She is passionate about brand building and has an energetic personality that endears her to customers and helps in her pursuit of growing brands on the east coast of Florida.
Sherry Zuchowski
Area Sales Manager
East Central Florida
Venessa Toruno
Vanessa is an industry leader dedicated to cultivating brands to success. With over 15 years of experience in the beverage industry and a successful track record managing and developing brands through sales and distribution, she is delighted to be a part of the Twenty20 team. Her true passion lies in building brands and ensuring profitable and long-term growth which is achieved through her strong business acumen. She graduated from The University of New Orleans with BA in Political Science. Vanessa lives in the heart of Miami with her beautiful family and is fluent in Spanish. She is outgoing, determined, and ready for any challenge.
She is passionate about brand building and has an energetic personality that endears her to customers and helps in her pursuit of growing brands on the east coast of Florida.
Vanessa Toruno
Area Sales Manager
South Florida
Liz Epsy
Liz Espy is born and raised in the south. Liz lives in Atlanta, and has worked with spirits for over a decade. Liz has worked with companies like Constellation Brands and Diageo. She loves the art of distillation and blending, and has a passion for doing spirit education. She has extensive sales experience in both the on and off premise. She has worked for distributors and suppliers, throughout the Southeast in many sales, marketing and brand educator roles.
liz.espy@twenty20beverages.comLiz Espy
Area Sales Manager
Georgia
Bridgette Nevarez
With almost two decades in the hospitality industry, Bridgette definitely has a passion for people. Waiting tables through high school and college sparked a love for the industry that eventually led to a successful career in sales. She has spent the last five years working in On Premise Wine and Spirits for companies such as Republic National Distributing Company and Green Light Distribution. Outside of work you will usually find her with her nose in a book or spending quality time with her husband and son.
bridgette.nevarez@twenty20beverages.comBridgette Nevarez
Area Sales Manager
North Texas
Andrew Bryant
Andrew spent nearly a decade in the bar and restaurant industry learning about beer, wine and spirits as a Bar Manager while working closely with various distributor partners. As a native Houstonian, he has first-hand knowledge of what it takes to grow brands in this competitive market. While working for Molson-Coors and Revolver Brewing, he drove sales in both the on and off premise channels of trade. While he is not in market, he enjoys spending time with his family, making memories with his wife and playing guitar.
andrew.bryant@twenty20beverages.comAndrew Bryant
Area Sales Manager
Central Texas
Lacey Gruetzner
Born and raised in San Antonio Lacey was introduced to the spirits industry when she began bartending in college. After obtaining a BA from the University of Texas at San Antonio, she started working as an off premise wine representative at Republic National Distributing. Lacey later moved to On premise wine and spirits sales for Southern Glazer’s Wine and Spirits, where she worked closely with top brand portfolios such as Tito's, Bacardi, Jagermeister, and Beam Suntory. She has spent the last 7 years building relationships with many different types of accounts in the South Texas area.
lacey.gruetzner@twenty20beverages.comLacey Gruetzner
Area Sales Manager
Gulf Coast Texas
Jenny Havemen
Jenny was introduced to the wine and spirits world while working in fine dining. She quickly discovered that she had a passion for all things craft beverage related. She has experience in a multitude of arenas in the hospitality and sales realm, from serving, to bartending, to distributorship sales, to brand management. Jenny spent seven years with Young’s Market Company where she worked as a Chain Sales Person, District Manager and in On Premise. She loves the details, and geeks out on in-depth product knowledge.
When Jenny is not slinging drinks in some capacity, she is either busy adventuring with her daughters or pursuing her love for ballroom dancing.
Jenny Havemen
Chain Sales Manager
West Division
Scott Judd
Scott began his career as a bartender/mixologist and bar manager before following his dream of selling wine and spirits for Young's Market Company. Scott has a strong lifetime interest in getting to know "The Story" behind producers and brands. Over the years Scott has earned CSW, CSS, and WSET Sake III certifications and is looking forward to continuing his education. Scott loves playing and listening to live music, hiking, biking, and spending quality time in the beautiful California outdoors. Scott grew up and still lives in the South Bay Area of Northern California.
sottjudd@twenty20beverages.comScott Judd
Area Sales Manager
Northern California
Stephen Colovos
Born and raised in Northern California, among some of the finest wineries, it was only natural for Stephen to cultivate a love for the spirits world. While attending Sierra College, Stephen began bartending and was quickly promoted to bar manager. His passion for expanding his brand knowledge and cultivating events is where he discovered his aptitude for connecting with his customers. It was only natural for Stephen to step onto the role of sales. In his free time, Stephen enjoys being a father, spending time in Tahoe and going to the gym.
stephen.colovos@twenty20beverages.comStephen Colovos
Area Sales Manager
Northern California
Andrew Baker
Andrew started as a bartender which ignited his passion for the wine and spirits industry. Andrew joined Young’s Market as a market manager, overseeing both on and off premise accounts. Over 7 years, Andrew exceeded expectations by understanding consumer and retailer needs. Andrew’s hands-on and goal-oriented approach allowed him to be engaged with people on all levels of the spirits industry. When he is not working you can find him playing golf or enjoying time with his fiancé exploring all the amazing beaches and restaurants that San Diego has to offer.
andrew.baker@twenty20beverages.comAndrew Baker
Area Sales Manager
San Diego
Scott Baldwin
Scott has been in the Beverage Alcohol Industry for many years working with the Brown-Forman Corporation. Scott has successfully managed the Brown-Forman portfolio across a variety of Sales, Marketing and Brand Management roles. Scott has spent time in markets across the country including Georgia, Wisconsin, Nevada, Northern California and Southern California. For the past 15 years Scott has managed the Brown Forman business for the On and Off Premise channels of trade, as well as the Chain headquarters in Southern California.
scott@twenty20beverages.comScott Baldwin
Key Account Manager
Southern California
Amy Ormiston
Amy is currently a student at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, a university which boasts one of the largest wine and viticulture programs in the country. While relatively new to the sales side of the beverage industry, she has an extensive food and customer service background having worked in bars and restaurants. Amy is driven and excited to continue to expand her knowledge and experience in the beverage industry.
amy.ormiston@twenty20beverages.comAmy Ormiston
Area Sales Manager
California Central Coast
Keely Light
Keely has tremendous experience in the beverage industry, and she thrives at assisting Twenty20 Beverages and our supplier partners at serving up tasting events at on-premise and off-premise accounts across Southern California. Her consumer engagement skills, knowledge of spirit brands and experience working in the bar, restaurant and retail industries is a great asset to our team. In her off time, she loves vacationing in Mexico, snowboarding and golfing.
Keely.Light@twenty20beverages.comKeely Light
Market Influencer
Southern California
