Director of Sales & New Business
Richard’s beverage industry experience includes over 15 years of sales, management and distribution specific to the beverage industry. Richard began his career with a family owned bottling company in Cleveland, Ohio. Here he leaned the workings of a bottling company that manufactured and distributed its own brands along with other nationally recognized brands that included 7UP, Canada Dry, RC Cola, Snapple, Arizona and Evian Water throughout the Midwest and eastern US marketing areas. Although he started his career at entry level positions, he soon moved to the position of Regional Sales Director overseeing the daily activities of seven (7) company owned distribution centers until the company was sold to American Bottling Company which is now known as Cadbury Schweppes Americas Beverages. From here, Richard became part of a nationally publicly traded company and as its Director of Sales and Distribution implemented and managed its distribution efforts growing to in excess of 31 states and developing a distribution network encompassing over 50 beverage distributors, wholesalers and brokers, including Anheuser Busch, Miller/Coors, Snapple and many independent distributors. As noted, Richard’s experience brings a wealth of knowledge from every level of sales and management directly related to the beverage industry and the ability to build a sales team that includes relationships with some of the largest and most successful beverage companies in the world.
Trade Development Manager, Atlanta, GA
Willis’s history in soft drinks began before he was born. His family has been the Pepsi bottlers in Astoria Oregon since 1946. Willis started working for the family business from when he was 12years old until he graduated from college. This helped him learn the beverage industry from many different aspects. After graduated from the University of Oregon, Willis made his way to the Midwest by moving to Chicago. While in Chicago, Willis worked in packaging supplies with many different industrial and commercial businesses throughout the Chicago area. New to Atlanta, GA as of 2008, Willis is excited to be back in the industry he has loved his entire life, beverages. And especially to be working with one of the leaders in new age beverages, Power Trip Energy Drinks. He is an avid sports fan of both professional and college athletics, particularly to his alma mater the University of Oregon, Go Ducks. If you have any questions for Willis or would just like to shoot the breeze please feel free to give him a call or email anytime.