ADAM SILVERSTEIN
COO , Garfield ' s Beverage
First industry job : Manager at Garfield ’ s Favorite drink : Bourbon
ALEX BARBATSIS
Bar Director , The Whistler
First industry job : Phil ’ s Tara Hideaway ( family-owned restaurant ) Favorite drink : Negroni
Alex Barbatsis began his bartending career at Rivera restaurant in Los Angeles after completing its a five-week bar training program . Rivera , which closed in 2014 , “ was a great place to learn , since Los Angeles ’ mixology scene was still growing at the time and their cocktail program was very creative and involved a lot of showmanship ,” Barbatsis says .
What Adam Silverstein , COO at Garfield ' s Beverage in Barrington , IL , likes about the alcohol industry is what he gets back .
“ It teaches you as much as you put into it ,” he says of this industry . “ You can have the opportunity to meet and work alongside startups , CEOs of Fortune 500 companies , run a small business and / or create a family legacy .”
“ There are different channels , different roles , everything and anything that someone could want to do can be found in our tight-knit industry ,” he adds . “ All anyone needs is a chance .” For Silverstein , that came after college graduation at Garfield ' s , where he worked his way up the ladder . There , he has enjoyed “ assisting Bruce and Dave Garfield in their vision of expansion and receiving multiple Top 100 retailer awards .”
This has allowed him to grow as a young leader .
“ It was difficult at first as a younger leader coming up through the ranks to get my vision and ideas across ,” he says . Leading by example , “ there is no job too small that I won ’ t do . If someone is needed to run deliveries on the weekend , stock shelves , stock the cooler , my team knows that they can call me , and I will find a way to help them out .”
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His managers at Rivera , Erik Lund and Jeremy Lake , were his biggest mentors in his early bartending career . “ They were very hands-on and taught me so much about cocktails and mixology .”
Barbatsis believes that being as hands-on as possible is the best way for people to learn . “ Whether it ’ s teaching a drink method or mopping up a puddle on the floor right away , I always like to demonstrate the way things should be done behind the bar .”
He also aims to mentor employees who aren ’ t as passionate about bartending and view it as a temporary job . “ It ’ s challenging , but I try to instill in them to improve their work ethic in this role so it will translate well into wherever they go next .”
Bartending itself is a great gig , Barbatsis adds . “ And if you work hard and care , you can move your way up pretty quickly .”
AMANDA HALE
SVP , Supplier Business Development , Breakthru Beverage Group
First industry job : Jim Beam Brands merchandising manager for Florida chains Favorite drink : Whiskey or tequila on a big rock with an orange slice
Amanda Hale is passionate about increasing representation and opportunities for women within the beverage alcohol industry .
“ One of the biggest challenges I ’ ve had to overcome is being the only woman in the boardroom ,” she says . “ It ’ s been great to see more and more women at the table the past few years , and I look forward to the future when it ’ s the norm . I ’ ve been fortunate to have great sponsors who supported my ambition and empowered me to speak , and I want to do the same for the next generation of talent .”
Hale is a member of the Women of the Vine and Spirits and a graduate of the WSWA Women in Leadership program . In her former role at Beam Suntory , she was region lead for its Network of Executive Women , and recipient of the Grit Award .
At Breakthru , she ’ s played a key role in the company ’ s DEI agenda and is active in Women Who Breakthru , an associate resource group .
“ I think big picture about the future and rarely turn down opportunities for new experiences ,” she says . “ Hard work , a desire to win and trusting myself have allowed me to succeed at things I once wouldn ’ t have imagined were possible .”
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