Blake’s Beverage Company Appoints Amanda Gleason as Chief Sales Officer to Accelerate National Expansion
Blake’s Beverage Company, one of the fastest-growing independent beverage platforms in the United States, has announced the appointment of Amanda Gleason as its new Chief Sales Officer (CSO), a newly created executive role aimed at accelerating the company’s national growth strategy and strengthening its position across multiple beverage categories.
The appointment comes as the company continues to expand beyond its roots in hard cider and build a diversified portfolio that includes ready-to-drink (RTD) cocktails, non-alcoholic beverages, and innovative products designed to capitalize on evolving consumer preferences. By bringing on a seasoned sales and commercial leader, Blake’s Beverage Company is signaling its commitment to scaling operations, enhancing distribution capabilities, and increasing market penetration across the country.
In her new role, Gleason will oversee a unified national sales strategy spanning the company’s three major brand families—Blake’s Hard Cider, Austin Eastciders, and Avid Cider Co. Her responsibilities will include leading sales operations, developing portfolio growth strategies, expanding distributor relationships, and strengthening route-to-market execution in both established and emerging markets.
The company currently partners with more than 240 distributors across 44 states, giving it a substantial national footprint. However, Blake’s leadership sees significant opportunities for further expansion, particularly in regions where brand awareness and distribution remain underdeveloped. Gleason will play a central role in identifying and executing strategies that increase visibility, market share, and consumer access to the company’s growing range of beverage offerings.
Andrew Blake, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Blake’s Beverage Company, emphasized the importance of Gleason’s appointment as the company enters a new phase of development.
“Blake’s Beverage Company is entering its next era of growth with a sharpened focus on national expansion, portfolio development, and channel innovation,” Blake said. “Amanda brings exactly the kind of commercial leadership and growth mindset we need as we continue scaling Blake’s Beverage Company nationally. She understands how to build momentum across complex portfolios, strengthen distributor partnerships, and unlock growth in evolving beverage channels. Just as importantly, she shares our belief that brands win when they stay authentic, consumer-focused, and relentlessly innovative.”
The creation of the CSO role reflects the company’s broader strategy of unifying its sales efforts under a single leadership structure. As consumer demand increasingly shifts toward premium, experiential, and alternative beverage categories, beverage companies face growing pressure to optimize distribution networks and improve execution across diverse channels.
One of Gleason’s key priorities will be the development of a comprehensive portfolio strategy designed to maximize opportunities across different consumer segments and retail channels. Blake’s Beverage Company’s portfolio spans premium, value-oriented, regional, and innovation-driven products, giving the company flexibility to address a wide range of consumption occasions and price points.
A particular focus will be placed on expanding the company’s presence in the convenience store channel, which leadership views as a major long-term growth opportunity. Convenience retail continues to evolve as consumers increasingly seek grab-and-go beverage options that offer convenience, flavor variety, and premium experiences. By strengthening its position in this channel, Blake’s aims to increase product availability while reaching new consumer demographics..
The company’s growth ambitions extend beyond traditional alcoholic beverages. Over the past several years, consumer preferences have shifted significantly, creating opportunities for brands that can deliver both alcoholic and non-alcoholic options tailored to modern lifestyles. Blake’s Beverage Company has responded by investing in several emerging beverage platforms.
Among these initiatives is Blake’s Zero Proof, the company’s rapidly growing non-alcoholic beverage line. The brand is designed to meet increasing demand from consumers seeking alcohol-free alternatives without sacrificing flavor, quality, or social experience. As health-conscious lifestyles and moderation trends continue to influence purchasing behavior, the zero-proof segment has become one of the fastest-growing categories in the beverage industry.
The company has also entered the spirit-based RTD category with Giddy Up, a punch-inspired beverage brand launched to capitalize on consumer interest in bold, flavor-forward ready-to-drink cocktails. The RTD segment has experienced remarkable growth in recent years as consumers seek convenient, premium-quality cocktail experiences that can be enjoyed anywhere.
Looking ahead, Blake’s Beverage Company is preparing to introduce another innovation platform with the planned launch of Shore Thing in the summer of 2026. While details remain limited, the upcoming brand is expected to further diversify the company’s portfolio and strengthen its presence in emerging beverage categories.
For Gleason, the opportunity to join Blake’s Beverage Company represents a chance to help scale a business that combines entrepreneurial energy with strong consumer appeal.
“Blake’s Beverage Company has built a portfolio with real authenticity, strong consumer appeal, and significant runway for growth,” Gleason said. “I was drawn to the company’s entrepreneurial spirit, its willingness to think differently, and the opportunity to help scale the business nationally through strong distributor partnerships and disciplined execution in the market.”
Beyond overseeing sales strategy, Gleason will lead a comprehensive review of the company’s distribution network. The assessment will focus on identifying opportunities to improve distributor alignment, strengthen partnerships, and enhance product velocity in key markets. Effective distribution remains a critical competitive advantage in the beverage industry, where access to shelf space, retailer relationships, and market execution can significantly impact brand performance.
Gleason brings extensive experience in beverage sales and commercial leadership to her new position. Prior to joining Blake’s Beverage Company, she served as Senior Vice President at Constellation Brands, where she was responsible for driving commercial performance across a 15-state territory. Her track record of managing large-scale sales operations and delivering growth across complex beverage portfolios is expected to provide valuable expertise as Blake’s continues its national expansion efforts.
Founded on a family orchard in Armada, Michigan, Blake’s Beverage Company has grown from a regional hard cider producer into a diversified beverage platform with national reach. Through strategic acquisitions, product innovation, and a focus on authenticity, the company has successfully expanded into multiple beverage categories while maintaining its independent identity.
With Amanda Gleason now leading its sales organization, Blake’s Beverage Company is positioning itself for continued growth, broader distribution, and greater influence across the rapidly evolving beverage landscape. As the company expands its portfolio and enters new channels, its leadership team believes the combination of innovation, strategic partnerships, and disciplined execution will be key to sustaining long-term success.
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