From Toppling Goliath:
Decorah, IA (February 3) ~ Toppling Goliath Brewing Co announces the appointment of National Sales Director, Chad Atherton. Chad comes to Toppling Goliath with over 20+ years of experience ranging from boots-on-the-ground sales to executive leadership in the craft industry.
Growing up in Colorado, Chad was an early adapter to the craft beer movement and likes to believe he started his craft beer career as a consumer. He was often the person at social gatherings bringing the 6pk of a new IPA, Porter, Wheat, or Amber Ale to share with friends amongst the plethora of big domestic offerings.
While pursuing studies in Environmental Science, Economics, and Policy at the University of Colorado, Chad began a decade long journey as the proprietor of a bar/restaurant concept that grew to three locations in Boulder and Denver Colorado. It was through this experience that he started in the “business” of craft beer, offering a variety of local, regional, and national craft beers to guests, and building relationships with numerous wholesaler and supplier reps.
In 2010, Chad began work at the award-winning beer distributor Fleck Sales (now Iowa Beverage) as the Craft Brand Manager. The task at hand was to manage the sales, marketing, and distribution of the Fleck Sales craft portfolio with the likes of MolsonCoors, Boston Beer, New Belgium, Boulevard, Gambrinus, and many other local/regional craft breweries. Over three years, a tremendous beer culture shift began to establish as ABV laws became more favorable to craft beer in Iowa. This created an inspiring environment for craft beer enthusiasts to shape a new landscape of beer in Iowa that expanded offerings in both on and off premise retail establishments and enhanced the craft beer consumer experience. This also opened the door for out-of-state breweries to consider Iowa as a viable marketplace for expansion. Chad played a leading role in recruiting emerging craft brands to open distribution in Iowa and was instrumental in bringing Founders, Stone, Lagunitas, Oskar Blues, and others to the state of Iowa.
The arrival of Founders Brewing to Iowa in 2012 introduced Chad to his next chapter in his craft beer career. He joined Founders in 2013 as they began to build a team in their expansion to a national distribution footprint. Over the past 9 years, Chad has played leading roles in regional sales, recruiting, training, process development, role strategy, and most recently leading a cross functional team to conceptualize and execute sales/distribution/marketing strategies in top priority markets as the Director of Market Development.
“Chad is a proven winner in navigating and building relationships within the 3-tier system. Moreover, Chad has a track record of leading successful teams, and a passion for cross-functional process improvement. We are grateful to welcome Chad to the Toppling Goliath family" says Curt Wymer, General Manager.
As Atherton transitions to assuming his new role, please join Toppling Goliath Brewing Co. in welcoming him to the company!
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