SHANE STIDHAM
General Manager Perry Distributors Inc
Age: 38 First industry job: Seasonal, part time route relief Favorite drink: Budweiser
Shane Stidham has always demonstrated maturity, resilience and innovation, positioning himself to be a role model from a very young age. Even today, he still exhibits leadership in his position of general manager at Perry Distributors Inc.
As general manager, Stidham has helped transform his team culture by putting people first, listening, mentoring and ensuring every employee feels valued and supported. Starting off in the industry as a part-time employee, he knows what it’ s like to be at the bottom and work your way up.
“ I started off on a seasonal route as a part-time employee, climbing my way through the ranks of doing every job including a delivery driver, warehouse loader, POS, sales
SAM LERMAN
Founder & CEO Spyrt Worldwide
Age: 38 First industry job: Spyrt Worldwide Favorite drink: Shabo Telti-Kuruk Grand Reserve
Without any prior industry experience, Sam Lerman dove right in and founded a Ukrainian wine and spirits import business, Spyrt Worldwide. Instead, he drew on more than a decade of U. S. military service, government logistics work and humanitarian volunteerism.
After self-deploying as an unpaid military advisor to the Ukrainian government in the early weeks of the Russian invasion, Lerman launched Spyrt Worldwide with the goal of introducing Ukrainian wine and spirits to the American market at scale.
Using his business to fund life-saving aid, Spyrt Worldwide donates 10 % of its monthly gross profit to Invictus Global Response, a team of American bomb technicians who volunteer to clear landmines in Ukrainian towns. The majority of Invictus’ s operational funding comes from these contributions.
Within just eight months of its first shipment, Spyrt Worldwide has expanded to 17 states, becoming the largest and team lead,” Stidham says.“ I eventually made my way to the successor and general manager.”
Under Stidham’ s leadership, Perry Distributors’ employees are more engaged, teamwork has strengthened and morale has grown, leading to better performance across the board. He has streamlined operations, raised service standards and positioned the company for long-term success, all while staying true to its core values.
Stidham’ s ability to balance high expectations with genuine care has not only improved day-to-day results but also strengthened the company’ s reputation as a people-first, community-focused organization.
Stidham says he hopes to continue to grow and build the company for generations to come, providing the best possible service to their customers.
“ For me, my goal is to always keep learning and never let myself get too comfortable,” he says.“ In an ever-changing industry, when you get comfortable, you stop growing.”
His advice to other young professionals in the industry? Learn as much as you possibly can.
“ There is always something to learn, even in a lateral move,” Stidham says.“ The more versatile you become, the more you stand out. Keeping your head down and working hard will always pay off if you keep your eye on the prize.”
Ukrainian wine importer in the U. S., with wines and vodkas now sold in hundreds of stores nationwide, including airports, military bases and a Michelin-starred restaurant in Washington, D. C.
And Lerman hopes to continue Spyrt Worldwide’ s expansion.
“ My goal for the future is to grow our distribution nationwide to be able to share the best of Ukraine with all of America,” he says.
Extending his community involvement outside of Spyrt Worldwide, Lerman also joined Evacuate Our Allies as an unpaid volunteer in the summer of 2021, taking an indefinite leave of absence from his career to work full-time coordinating evacuations and advocating for Afghan allies fleeing the Taliban.
In the final chaotic days of the withdrawal, he successfully coordinated the escape of his closest Afghan brotherin-arms, Wazir, whom he had served alongside in 2011. After Wazir arrived in the United States, Sam and his wife welcomed him into their home for several months, helping him begin his new life in America.
Lerman’ s advice to young professionals in the industry? Build relationships.
“ In all my years of experience both inside this industry and outside of it, relationships matter more than almost anything else,” he says.“ Find people you trust, listen to them and build relationships with them.
10 2026 BEVERAGE INFORMATION GROUP 40 UNDER 40