ANDREW PENTLAND
Buyer , Gator Beverage
First industry job : Gator Beverage Favorite drink : Cold beer or a Negroni
Andrew Pentland fell in love with beer with his first taste of a German heffeweizen during a trip to Germany in high school .
With that passion , he found a home at Gator Beverage . Although Gator Beverage has grown into a full-service liquor store , the store began as a specialty beer retailer in 1989 . This is where Pentland did ( and still does ) all his beer shopping . Where he was able to try brews from all over the world , plus the latest craft beers from new breweries popping up across the country .
One day while Pentland browsed the beer selection , the clerk said he was moving out of town , and asked if Pentland was interested in a job . The rest is history . Including an outstanding turn on social media .
After years of posting pictures of new products and advertising promotional tasting events and only getting a handful of likes , Pentland became frustrated with the store ’ s social media presence and decided to try something new .
In January of 2022 , he launched “ Liquor Store 352 ” on Tik Tok : a comedic alter ego of sorts . Since then , Liquor Store 352 has expanded onto Instagram and YouTube . Currently they have more than 1.25 million subscribers and 2 billion views across the three platforms .
“ This new social media presence has exposed our store to millions of people , and has hopefully contributed to the collective alcohol education of our viewers worldwide ,” Pentland says .
CRISTHIAN RODRIGUEZ
Beverage Director , elNico
First industry job : NoMad Hotel Favorite drink : Bidi Bidi Bom Old Fashioned
Cristhian Rodriguez grew up in a family bakery , intertwining culinary arts , visual aesthetic and personal stories from a young age . So the culinary world has been ingrained in every fabric of his upbringing .
“ After branching out and joining the NoMad hotel opening team , I knew my vocation in service and hospitality was going to be a full time career ,” says Rodriguez . This eventually led him to the beverage director role at elNico restaurant and bar in Brooklyn , NY ..
Being a part of a racial / ethnic immigrant minority and LGTBQ community has helped shape Rodriguez into the hard worker he is today . “ This has given me a lot of confidence and the tools to continue never-ending my growth ,” he says .
Rodriguez hopes to inspire other professionals in the beverage industry by continuing to bring creativity to their spaces , developing cocktails and a beverage program that they truly believe in and are passionate about , and mentoring and guiding the next generation with kindness , transparency and a strong sense of hospitality that goes beyond the cocktail .
“ I also hope our techniques at elNico shine through and inspire other creations by leaders in the industry ,” Rodriguez says .
GARY SCHNEIDKRAUT
VP of Business Development , Wine + Spirits , Protis Global
First industry job : Empire Merchants sales consultant Favorite drink : Tequila- neat , on the rocks or in a cocktail
As a sales consultant at New York-based Empire Merchants , Gary Schneidkraut was responsible for a 190-page catalog of all products carried by the wholesaler . Representing and selling spirits , liqueurs , wine , Champagne , sake and more provided opportunities to practice in every facet of the company ' s dealings , and allowed Schneidkraut to collaborate with and learn from suppliers from all over the world .
As an executive search professional for the beverage industry , “ the challenge is to understand what works best for others and tailor my style to optimize the productivity and authenticity of the relationship ”, he says . “ While easier said than done , it ' s rewarding to gain that exposure and always work on navigating situations with the most suitable approach .”
When evaluating if a partnership with a new company / brand is going to make sense and be synergistic , “ I consider the benefits / costs from both my perspective as well the other party ' s perspective ,” says Schneidkraut . “ As opposed to ‘ selling ,’ I genuinely try to communicate if collaboration or an outcome is mutually beneficial for everybody involved .”
Everyone has their own style and preferred method of achieving their goals , he notes . But , “ I love being part of an industry with so many diverse and talented individuals .”
2023 BEVERAGE INFORMATION GROUP 40 UNDER 40 7