WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. -- Heineken USA Inc. said that Chris Steffanci has been appointed general manager of the organization's Northeast Regional Business Unit. Steffanci was most recently the general manager for Heineken USA's Central Regional Business Unit, and in his new role, replaces Jim Sloan, who recently assumed the general manager role for Heineken USA's sister company, Star Brand Imports.
Steffanci will continue to focus his efforts on enhancing and executing a tailored regional strategy that is reflective of Heineken USA's overall corporate strategy. [image-nocss] He will also be charged with driving Heineken USA's financial performance in the region, while identifying and pursuing business development and other growth opportunities.
Prior to joining Heineken USA in 2005, Steffanci was with Diageo Guinness USA, where his most recent assignment was regional sales director for New York State. Prior to that, he held a number of positions with the company, including regional marketing manager for the Southeast Region and distributor manager for southern Florida. Prior to joining Diageo, Steffanci gained extensive sales experience with Gallo Wine and Nabisco.
White Plains, N.Y.-based Heineken USA also said that John Larkins has been appointed general manager of the organization's Central Regional Business Unit, replacing Steffanci.
In his new position, Larkins will be charged with enhancing and executing a business strategy tailored to deliver Heineken's portfolio of global brands to the Central Region market, which includes key metropolitan areas such as Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Minneapolis, Indianapolis and New Orleans.
He will also be charged with driving Heineken USA's financial performance in the region, while identifying and pursuing business development and other growth opportunities.
Larkins joined Heineken USA in 1991 as a district manager in the Central Region. Throughout his 15-year tenure with the organization, he has progressed through positions of increasing responsibility including regional planner, chain manager, division manager and his most recent position as zone director, Metro West Zone (covering southern California and southern Nevada) in the Western Region.
Prior to joining Heineken USA, Larkins was an area sales manager and key account manager for Powers Distributing Co., a beverage distributor of the Heineken portfolio and other beer brands in the Detroit area. He started his career with the Dayton-Hudson department store, before moving into the beverage industry.
Heineken USA, one of the the nation's largest beer importers, is a subsidiary of Heineken International BV. Brands imported into the United States include Heineken Lager, Heineken Premium Light, Amstel Light and Buckler nonalcoholic brew. Heineken USA is also the exclusive USA importer for the Tecate, Dos Equis, Sol, Carta Blanca and Bohemia brands from FEMSA Cerveza of Mexico.
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