01.19.2022

In brief

Working at Rémy Cointreau since: November 1995
Current position: Senior Director of Sales
Based in: Chicago Illinois
3 skills to work in your team: Hard working; Problem Solver; Have a little fun!

Your position as Sr. Director of Sales

What does your job entail?
My job entails working with my team to contribute to the achievement of both the profit and depletion goals for the state of Illinois. We do this by working closely with our distributor and retail partners while always holding true to our values of Terroir, People and Time. It is important to have the right team in place to deliver these goals. I take great pride managing and developing a successful team and in turn watching their success.

What is special about your market, especially through Covid?
While Illinois is the 6th largest state in the US, it is also the number one Cognac market in the country. We are very proud of the work we have done both past and present to get us to this place. Covid has obviously changed the way we do business and the way that we reach people. Our brand teams have done an excellent job reaching our consumers digitally. We have been able to expand on that in our local markets by working with our retailers to develop local digital programs. It was difficult to watch the on premise shut down and to see so many businesses struggle. I think we all felt the need to help. As a local team we tried to stay in touch with many of our customers and support where possible.

Is there any achievement you’re particularly proud of?
I am very proud of watching my team develop and grow with the company. It is so great to see when somebody is ready to move to a more challenging role with the company. This company allows for so many opportunities. I would be remiss if I didn’t mention that we were the first market in the US to sell 100,000 cases of VSOP in a year. That was very exciting for both our local team as well as our distributor.

Nearly 30 years with us

As your career progressed, how did you manage to stay motivated and keep challenging yourself in the same company?
This is a great question. I started with the company soon after the 275th anniversary of Rémy Martin and now I hope to be able to celebrate the 300th anniversary of Remy Martin in 2024.
When I started with Rémy Cointreau back in 1995, I never thought I would be at the same company for 26+ years. I previously came from a beer company and Procter & Gamble. I started at RCUSA in Illinois as the on premise person calling on the hotels and restaurants. I enjoyed the luxury portfolio and working with our partners developing programs. I have grown with the company to my current position. Honestly each day feels like a new day and a new job so it never gets stagnant. This industry is ever evolving!

Is there anything special about Rémy Cointreau that convinced you to stay with us?
I am proud to work for a company that values its people but also values CSR and sustainability. It is a big commitment of the company to achieve carbon neutrality. We should all be doing our part.

Does spending most of one’s career in the same group bring some special satisfaction and fulfillment?
It does bring satisfaction that I hope I leave the Remy Cointreau business in my region better than when I started. I have enjoyed watching the company grow and personally watching my family grow.