Northwest Region
Dave Engen C.W.E.
President Wine Portfolio Mountain States
As Vice President of the Mountain States, Dave is responsible for Wine sales for the Brokerage States of Utah, Wyoming and Montana. In Utah and Wyoming, he and his staff implement, develop, and promote Young’s portfolios to the Liquor Control Boards and directly to the customers in those market places. In Montana, he and his staff represent and market for our suppliers to the independent network of distributors.
Dave has been with Young’s since 2004. Before the Young’s Market opportunity, he was President and co-partner of Western Edge Wine and Spirits, based in Park City, Utah, for 11 years. Prior to moving to Utah in 1993, he held a wide variety of positions within the wine business, working as a Sales Representative for Wine Warehouse- Southern California, Hospitality for
Beringer Vineyards, apprentice at Langwerth von Simmern Winery in Germany, and in the family retail business at Rolf’s Wine and Spirits,
Newport Beach.
• BA in English from University of Utah
• Approaching 30 years in the Alcohol Beverage Industry
Office Location: Salt Lake City
Phillip Giordano
President Spirits Portfolio Moutain States
As Vice President of Idaho, Phil is responsible for managing both of our Spirit Divisions (Northwest and Alliance). He works closely with the Liquor Control Boards and the sales teams ensuring that our supplier portfolio goals and objectives are achieved.
Phil has been with Young’s since 2005. Prior, he worked as a Sales Representative for Young’s for 10 years in Newport Beach, CA. In 1996, he partnered into an independent Wine and Spirit Brokerage in Utah and Idaho. In 2004, Phil and his business partner sold their brokerage business to Young’s Market Company, and rejoined Young’s.
BS in Business Management from University of Redlands, California.
18 years with Young’s Market Company
10 years proprietor for Western Edge Wine and Spirits- Park City, Utah
Office Location: Salt Lake City
Tom Kappenman
General Manager of Northwest Spirits Division
As General Manager of our Northwest Spirits Division, Tom is responsible for all go to market strategies as they relate to the Sales and Marketing teams across Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Utah, Montana and Wyoming. He is charged with shaping and implementing a new Way of Working; delivering a best in class performance and representing Young's as the foremost expert in the Pacific Northwest. Tom re-joined Young's Market Company in February of 2011. He has over eighteen years of spirit industry experience, most recently with Pernod Ricard USA where he held the position of Business Unit Director for the Desert Pacific Region. Prior to Pernod Ricard, Tom worked for Allied Domecq for three years prior to their dissolve. Tom also worked for Young's Market Company from 1995 to 2003, holding various Sales and Channel Management roles.
Office Location: Renton
John Guinasso
General Manager Aliance Division Pacific North West
John has held a number of senior leadership positions in the beverage industry, starting as Pacific Northwest Field Sales and Marketing Manager for G. Heileman Brewing in 1988 working on the Rainier and Henry Weinhard brands. His career has encompassed both supplier and distributor management, including 10 years as Vice President of Beer and Non-alcoholic brands for Alaska Distributors in Washington State. His current role as Pacific Northwest General Manager Alliance Division includes a build-out of a dedicated sales force, and shared infrastructure, focused on the development and growth of international powerhouse brands including Bacardi USA, Brown Forman and Remy Cointreau. Prior to entering the beverage business, John received his Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration from the University of Washington.”
Office Location: Kent
Allison House
Trade Marketing Director / NW Division / NW Region
Allison is responsible for the planning, coordinating, implementing and tracking of all on-premise initiatives for the Northwest Division. She is also responsible for the day-to-day marketing and brand-building activities for the region working in partnership with YMCo Northwest Suppliers.
Allison joined Young’s in the Spring of 2011 with experience representing both Pernod Ricard and The Hive Inc./Brown-Forman in local key account sales and marketing roles. Prior to joining the spirits industry, Allison worked in the Promotions and Marketing department of Fisher Radio Seattle.
Education: University of Hawaii at Hilo, B.A. Communications
Office Location: Kent
Brett Wiensch
Vice President of Montana and Wyoming (Spirits)
Brett is responsible for managing our total portfolio (Northwest and Alliance Division) in Montana and Wyoming. After serving in the United States Navy during the first gulf war Brett managed Kroger’s convenience store concept throughout Montana before joining the Montana State Liquor Division in 2000. Brett has more than eleven years’ experience in the liquor industry, seven of them with the Young’s Market Company. Brett has worked his way up from Sale Representative, State Manager to the current role of Vice President of Montana and Wyoming.
Office Location: Helena
Ben Kordon
State Manager of Wyoming (Wine)
Ben has been with the Young’s Market Organization since 2002. He started in Eugene, Oregon for Young’s/Columbia as a Sales Representative. He called on the Eugene Corvallis markets in both the on and off premise environment.
Ben moved to Laramie, Wyoming in July of 2007 and started as a Sales Representative in Southeastern Wyoming. He was promoted to State Manager in April 2008. He is responsible for working with the Wyoming Liquor Division, providing guidance for supplier partners, managing the Sales Representatives, and day to day operations of the brokerage.
Prior to coming to Young’s Market, Ben spent 13 years with Safeway Stores Inc, Portland Division, in a number of different capacities, including District Trainer, Grocery Manager and store opening/closing team.
Ben attended the University of Oregon and Lane Community College
Office Location: Cheyenne
Alain Viny - C.S.S.
State Manager – On Premise (Spirits) / NW Division
Alain joined Young’s Market Company of Utah in 2009 as a Sales Representative following over twenty years’ experience the Bar and Restaurant business. Prior to joining the Young’s Team, Alain oversaw the Spirits Program for the prestigious Bill White Restaurant Group in Park City, Utah.
Alain is a graduate of the University of San Diego with a Bachelor of Arts in Mass Media Studies and Political Science.
Alain is conversationally fluent in French, Italian, Spanish and Greek.
Office Location: Salt Lake City
Vince Fusco
State Manager of Utah (Spirits) / Alliance Division
Coming Soon
Office Location: Salt Lake City
Kristian Jelm
State Manager of Utah (Wine)
Kristian Jelm is responsible for overseeing all sales aspects related to Young’s Market Company’s wine portfolio in Utah. His responsibilities include strategic planning and execution and the management of the sales staff. Kristian moved to Utah in 1995 and has been with Young’s Market Company Utah since 2005, working as a Sales Representative and Brand Manager prior to his current role. Kristian is a Certified Wine Educator and Certified Sommelier and is a graduate of the University of Utah.
Office Location: Salt Lake City
Jeff Moore
State Manager of Oregon / Alliance Division
Coming Soon
Office Location: Portland
Neil Fisher
State Manager – Off Premise / NW Division
Neil Fisher has over 27 years of experience in the beverage alcohol industry. He began his career with Potter Distilleries as the Oregon State Manager. After 3 years Neil joined Portland Distributing as their Spirits Manager. After 3 years Neil joined the Nels Hinton company which subsequently was sold to Young’s Market Company in 2003; Neil serves as the Oregon State Off Premise Manager.
Neil is a graduate of Oregon State University with a B.S. in Business Management.
Office Location: Portland
Chris Trenholme
State Manager – On Premise / NW Division
Chris came to Young’s Market Company with 7 years of experience in the beverage industry. As the On Premise State Manager, Chris is responsible for managing the execution of all on premise activities in the state of Oregon. With a variety of past roles in the on premise, Chris brings expertise in growing sales trends in the spirits, beer, and energy categories. Starting in the agency side of the business, he began his career by building the Brown Foreman and Bacardi brands in the Bay Area. He has also held positions with Coors Brewing Company and Columbia Distributing, in the Red Bull division.
Chris is a graduate of Saint Mary’s College of California, with a degree in Business Administration and a minor and Communications. He also holds a MBA from California State University East Bay, with a focus in Marketing
Office Location: Portland
Eric Carr
State Manager of Idaho / Alliance Division
Comong Soon
Office Location: Boise
John Morrow
Vice President of Washington / NW Division
John Morrow has 25 years of experience in the beverage alcohol industry. He began his career with K&L Distributors as a Sales Representative before being promoted through the company to Category Manager, District Manager and On Premise Manager. After 17 years with K&L John joined the Young’s Market Team in 2004 as On Premise State Manager for Washington. John successfully led the organization through tremendous growth and developed a solid foundation of managers and sales representatives. John was promoted to Director of Sales and Marketing in 2007 responsible for all sales channels and personnel as well as programming for all suppliers. John was instrumental in growing the total cases and market share for Young’s Market in Washington as well as the addition of several new key suppliers to the Young’s Market Family. John was promoted to Vice President of Young’s Market Co. Washington in 2010 and is responsible for the Sales and Operations team across the State of Washington.
John is known as “JC” to his family, friends and YMC partners.
Office Location: Seattle
Lee Branshaw
State Manager – Off Premise / NW Division
Lee has over 19 years’ experience in the beverage industry. He began his career in 1992 with K&L Distributors holding several key sales positions in their Wine and Beer divisions. In 1996 Lee joined Young’s Spirits division where he served as territory manager for two years before moving into the role of On Premise Supervisor. Eight years later Lee was promoted into the role of Off Premise State Manager where he manages the development of his high preforming team. Lee holds a complete understanding of local industry trends and manages all go to market strategies for the Young’s portfolio.
Office Location: Seattle
Gary Ginger
State Manager – On Premise / NW Division
Gary joined the Young’s Market team in 2006; he was charged with managing Seattle’s key on-premise accounts. After four years of developing these relationships through innovative product launches, creative promotions and staff seminars Gary was promoted to the post of On-premise State Manager. In this role he continually strives to nurture a team environment while working continuously with our supplier partners.
Office Location: Seattle
