Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits Unveils Key Leadership Changes in the Central Region
Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits (Southern Glazer’s), the world’s leading distributor of beverage alcohol, has announced three significant leadership appointments within its Central Region. These strategic changes emphasize the company’s commitment to market excellence, operational efficiency, and customer service leadership. The newly appointed executives bring extensive experience and a proven track record of success, positioning Southern Glazer’s for continued growth and innovation across key states.
Strengthening Leadership in Arkansas and Tennessee
Derek Teter has been promoted to the role of Senior Vice President, General Manager, Arkansas & Tennessee, effective March 17, 2025. In this new capacity, Teter will oversee all operations in Arkansas while also supervising the Vice President, General Manager of Tennessee. Wine & Spirits He will report directly to Matt Metz, President, Central Region.
With an impressive 23-year tenure at Southern Glazer’s, Teter has gained valuable expertise in commercial leadership, sales, and operations management. Wine & Spirits Most recently, he served as Senior Vice President, General Manager, Arkansas, a position he has held since 2018. Under his leadership, the Arkansas market witnessed remarkable growth, fueled by a strong corporate culture centered on accountability, business execution, and customer-focused service.
Teter’s promotion reflects Southern Glazer’s commitment to recognizing and advancing internal talent, ensuring that the company remains at the forefront of the beverage alcohol distribution industry. His ability to drive market performance and foster a results-driven team culture makes him the ideal choice for this expanded role.
New Leadership for Tennessee Operations
As part of the leadership restructuring, Brian Sears has been named Vice President, General Manager, Tennessee, with his new role taking effect on April 7, 2025. Sears will report directly to Derek Teter and will be responsible for overseeing sales operations, market strategy, and regional execution in Tennessee.
Sears brings nearly three decades of industry experience, having worked across various markets and leadership positions. Before this promotion, he served as Vice President of Sales, Colorado Off-Premise, a role he held for six years. During this time, Sears played a crucial role in driving sales execution, improving operational efficiencies, and expanding Southern Glazer’s market presence.
His extensive expertise in sales strategy and market dynamics will be instrumental in driving the company’s continued success in Tennessee. Under his leadership,Wine & Spirits the state’s operations are expected to see further enhancements in efficiency, customer service, and strategic growth.
Speaking on the leadership appointments, Matt Metz emphasized the importance of having the right leaders in place to propel the company forward:
Expansion of Leadership in Kansas and Iowa
In addition to the leadership updates in Arkansas and Tennessee, Joe Burns has been appointed as Vice President, General Manager, Kansas & Iowa, effective January 1, 2025. In this role, Burns will report to Jim Mullen, Senior Vice President, General Manager, Nebraska, Kansas & Iowa. He will be responsible for overseeing all aspects of the company’s operations in these two key Midwestern states.
Burns has been an integral part of Southern Glazer’s and its predecessor companies for nearly two decades. His journey with the company began in 2006 when he joined Glazer’s, one of the two entities that merged to form Southern Glazer’s in 2016. Throughout his career, he has held a series of progressively senior roles at both Southern Glazer’s and E. & J. Gallo Winery. Most recently, he served as Vice President, Pinnacle Sales Division, Missouri, where he successfully drove significant growth and strengthened supplier partnerships.
His appointment is a testament to his ability to foster collaboration, enhance sales execution, and drive business development. By leveraging his deep knowledge of the industry and strategic planning skills, Burns will play a pivotal role in expanding the company’s footprint and success in Kansas and Iowa.
Jim Mullen, speaking on Burns’ promotion, highlighted the value he brings to the role:
Commitment to Excellence and Market Leadership
Southern Glazer’s continues to demonstrate its dedication to market leadership and operational excellence through strategic leadership appointments. These changes come at a time when the beverage alcohol distribution industry is rapidly evolving, requiring innovative strategies and agile leadership to maintain a competitive edge.
By promoting seasoned leaders from within the company, Southern Glazer’s reinforces its commitment to internal talent development and long-term business sustainability. The leadership team’s combined expertise will be essential in strengthening supplier relationships, enhancing customer service, and driving growth across Arkansas, Tennessee, Kansas, and Iowa.
As Southern Glazer’s looks ahead to 2025 and beyond, these appointments mark a significant step in its continued expansion and innovation within the Central Region. With a focus on excellence in execution, market responsiveness, and customer-centric operations, the company remains well-positioned to lead the industry into the future.
