CAMI LEHMANN
Director of Marketing Maggiano ' s Italy
Age : 35 First Industry Job : Hostess at Chili ’ s in San Angelo , TX Favorite Drink : It varies — I like to say that I am an unbiased drinker !
Cami Lehmann has dedicated the past seven years to turning around the Chili ’ s beverage program through the Margarita of the Month before moving onto Maggiano ’ s Little Italy , another brand from parent company Brinker International . She was instrumental in the creation and implementation of its overhauled beverage menu .
Lehmann constantly strives to innovate the beverage program while also maintaining strong relationships with those in the industry and refusing to “ play the game ” that certain other buyers and companies force suppliers to play .
In addition to leading beverage for Maggiano ’ s , Lehmann heads up the marketing efforts for the brand including : food and beverage menu innovation and development , media planning and calendar , POP and marketing materials , and the digital guest experience inclusive of CRM , social media , loyalty and website .
Her biggest challenge in recent years ? Without question , it was how to sell beverage alcohol ( legally ) when the Covid lockdowns hit in March 2020 .
“ It was a long two weeks of constant phone / video calls but I was able to launch Chili ’ s alcohol program to-go on Chilis . com , offering beer , wine and Margaritas for pick up in the majority of Chili ’ s 1,000-plus restaurants ,” Lehmann recalls . “ Our iconic Presidente Margarita to-go was a winner from the start , and the program is still in place today for guests to enjoy Presidentes at home .”
Lehmann , who recently became a first time mother , says that her passion lies in people . “ I get to live that every day with my job in the hospitality industry ,” she notes .
“ It ’ s hard to call it ‘ work ’ when you get to do what you love and your personal successes line up with your professional successes .”
CHRIS WATZIG
VP of Sales Columbia Distributing
Age : 32 First Industry Job : Beer Career Intern at Columbia Distributing Favorite Drink : Ice-cold beer or smoked Old Fashioned
Christopher Watzig first joined Columbia Distributing in 2015 as a college intern . In less than eight years and five promotions later , he is now vice president of sales in Portland , OR .
Under Watzig ’ s leadership , the Portland sales team has earned two Gold Network Awards from Constellation Brands and is on track for a third .
What ’ s more , they ’ ve implemented cutting-edge sales analytics , significantly reduced annual inventory expenses and dramatically improved quality audit scores from a failing 58.85 % in 2022 to a perfect 100 % in 2024 .
“ Chris has a unique set of skills . He ’ s a strong people leader , has excellent technical knowledge , and on top of that , he has high emotional intelligence . He ’ s a true fivetool player ,” says Dave Stander , Columbia Distributing ’ s chief commercial officer . “ Of the people I ’ ve worked with throughout my career , Chris has one of the highest ceilings I ’ ve seen .”
Another example of Watzig ’ s tremendous leadership is when he oversaw the opening of Columbia Distributing ’ s new warehouse in Canby , OR , in 2020 .
“ The project involved relocating nearly one million cases of product , 350 jobs and warehouse / delivery assets from three warehouses in North Portland to our new facility , approximately one hour south ,” he says .
“ This project was especially challenging as it occurred during peak covid , historic Oregon wildfires that were burning within 25 miles of our new location and significant labor shortages .”
Despite these obstacles , Watzig and his team successfully transitioned to the new location on schedule and under budget , with no disruption to retail operations .
“ This experience taught me invaluable lessons in leading through adversity , maintaining team morale and employing creative problem-solving strategies ,” he says . “ While it was one of the most demanding projects I have faced , it was also one of the most rewarding .”
2025 BEVERAGE INFORMATION GROUP 40 UNDER 40 9