BRONYA SHILLO
Founder , Fishers Island Lemonade
First industry job : Pequot Inn on Fishers Island , NY Favorite drink : Half & Half Fishers Island Lemonade
Nearly a decade before it was acquired by E & J Gallo in 2022 , Bronya Shillo launched Fishers Island Lemonade as one of the first craft canned cocktails .
She created the brand after spending summers on Fishers Island in New York where her family ’ s inn held the only bar on the island . Soon after offering the bar ’ s signature cocktail in canned form , it took off . “ Maintaining growth is always a topic I overthink ,”
Shillo says . “ It ’ s an art to keep the balance . You need to take big enough risks to push your team forward , but also need to know when to say no . Knowing your business and believing in your mission makes those decisions easier over time .”
As an early entrant to the category , she spent the majority of her time early on educating the industry about spirits-based RTDs , which were placed on the shelf alongside hard seltzers and malt-based beverages .
Thanks to the brand ’ s success , Shillo founded a local scholarship for high school seniors interested in entrepreneurship , and a local brand ambassador program for aspiring sales and marketing professionals to learn about the beverage industry . She ’ s also donated 1 % of all profits since the brand ’ s founding to non-profits in the coastal communities around Fishers Island , like beach cleanup organization Take 3 for the Sea .
CHARLIE BAILES
EVP Administrative Services , ABC Fine Wine & Spirits
First industry job : Southern Glazer ’ s Chicago off-premise sales Favorite drink : Pinot Noir
Charlie Bailes is part of the fourth generation of his family to own ABC Fine Wine & Spirits , which was founded in Florida in 1936 .
“ My grandfather was the first person to encourage me to get into the industry ,” he says . “ Most family businesses don ’ t make it to the fourth generation , so I ’ m proud to be with a team that ’ s still very successful .”
He ’ s focused on modernizing the company ’ s administrative functions ( finance , information technology and human resources ), which can be challenging in the beverage alcohol industry .
“ When you work in an industry that focuses heavily on product innovation and much less so on new ways of running the business , you have to learn to be patient and be more convincing as a change agent ,” Bailes says . “ My hope is to show others that great things happening in other industries can and will work just as well or better in the beverage business .”
“ I ’ m a big believer in getting the company culture right ,” he adds , “ in order to affect that kind of innovation within the business .”
For
more on the G4 ( fourth generation ) leaders at ABC , see the January / February 2022 issue of Beverage Dynamics .
DANA EPPERSON
Vice President , Winemaking , The Duckhorn Portfolio
First industry job : Ferrari-Carano Vineyards and Winery viticulture technician Favorite drink : Crisp Chardonnay or full-bodied Pinot Noir
Born and raised in Sonoma County , Dana Epperson spent much of the last two decades in the wine industry . She became associate winemaker for Duckhorn ’ s Decoy winery in 2014 , and says navigating success at a young age was challenging .
“ Building confidence involved embracing each learning opportunity , seeking mentorship and recognizing my strengths ,” she says . “ Overcoming self-doubt , especially as a young manager and winemaker , was a gradual process . I learned to celebrate small victories and focus on continuous growth .”
During Epperson ’ s tenure , the brand introduced a new California Rosé and Brut Cuvee to its lineup , as well as a higher tier of limited-production wines . She leaned on her previous experience managing grower relations for Napa ’ s Artsea Vineyards and Winery to establish grower programs for Decoy and increase access to quality grapes . Currently she manages dozens of employees across three different wineries for the Duckhorn portfolio .
“ At both Decoy and Migration , I ’ ve been given a great deal of freedom to explore the vineyards and regions that excite me ,” she says . “ I strive to channel that excitement and enthusiasm into my team .”
6 2023 BEVERAGE INFORMATION GROUP 40 UNDER 40