Hospitality & Tourism  July 17, 2017

New Belgium hires Fechheimer as chief executive

FORT COLLINS — New Belgium Brewing in Fort Collins has hired Steve Fechheimer as its new chief executive, replacing Kim Jordan, co-founder and former CEO of the brewery.

Jordan will continue as chairwoman of the board of directors and will work with the board on long-term strategies for the brewery.

Fechheimer will oversee New Belgium’s executive team, short-term strategy, industry leadership efforts and day-to-day operations when he starts the job in mid-August.

He most recently was chief strategy officer at  Beam Suntory in Deerfield, Ill., the world’s third-largest premium spirits company. During his eight years with Beam Suntory, Fechheimer led initiatives such as route-to-market design and distributor negotiations. He also led acquisitions, divestitures, the creation of global partnerships and the overall strategic planning process.

“We are so excited to welcome Steve to New Belgium,” Jordan said in a prepared statement. “His expertise at strategy development and execution in the high-end world of spirits, coupled with our 26 years of solid brewing and branding, is a perfect setup for the kind of dynamic future New Belgium is planning.”

New Belgium also has appointed Joe Davis as chief operating officer and Jenn Vervier as interim vice president of marketing.

Davis has been a member of New Belgium’s leadership team since 2013 and, in addition to being promoted to this new position, will continue to serve as the company’s general counsel.

Vervier has been with New Belgium for more than 20 years and will take over marketing chores following the departure of Ruairi Twomey.

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