Board of Directors
Steven Becker
Executive Vice President, Treasurer & Compliance
Southern Glazer's Wine and Spirits
In his present position, Mr. Becker is responsible for the company's treasury management functions, including all borrowings and financing, bank relationships, cash management, and other finance-related activities. He also oversees mortgages, leases, real estate transactions and all bank loan compliance documentation, among other duties. In addition, Mr. Becker actively oversees the company's government relations activities, both at the state and federal levels. He says, "This is one of my prime responsibilities, representing Southern's role and interest in our industry's three-tier system.
Mr. Becker graduated from Syracuse University in Syracuse, New York, with a Bachelor of Science degree in finance. He went on to study law and received a J.D. degree from Boston University School of Law. Before starting his professional career, he received an M.B.A. from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.
David Lockie
Executive Vice President, Illinois
Breakthru Beverage Group
David Lockie serves as President Midwest Region for Breakthru Beverage. He previously served as a Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Wirtz Beverage Illinois and Minnesota. He also jointly oversaw the company’s interests within JBW Group of Iowa. David is a seasoned leader with nearly 30 years of industry experience.
In his current role, he drives the Breakthru Beverage culture of execution across states through all aspects of sales including planning, implementation, measurement, integration and innovation strategies. His commitment to leadership and vision has successfully contributed to overall company objectives by continually surpassing key revenue and account goals. David also plays a leadership and mentorship role for the company’s sales consultants.
Alan Steen
Vice President Government Affairs
Southern Glazer's Wine and Spirits
Alan Steen has been involved in all aspects of the beverage alcohol regulatory and legislative processes for over 15 years. As the past Administrator of the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission, Alan brings a unique perspective to agency policy, rulemaking, regulation, and legislative change. Alan works closely with national leadership across all aspects of the industry to bring continuity to company direction and goals and is the liaison for compliance inquiries for the Central and Control Regions at Southern Glazer's Wine and Spirits. Alan lives southwest of Dallas with his wife Tandy, who enjoys a small farm and all things outdoors.
Jennifer Zenker
Senior Vice President, Government and Regulatory Affairs
Breakthru Beverage Group
As Senior Vice President, Government and Regulatory Affairs, Jennifer is responsible for overseeing BBG's state and federal legislative and regulatory agendas in all of its markets. Jennifer also counsels the company on a broad range of topics, and is responsible for ensuring legal and regulatory compliance across BBG's multi-state operations.
Jennifer joined BBG's corporate team in 2008 after practicing law in New York and Washington, D.C. at the firms Clifford Chance and Howrey, LLP. Most recently, she served as the Company's Assistant General Counsel. Jennifer graduated with honors from George Washington University's National Law Center, and holds a B.A. from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
The Breakthru Beverage Group is one of the nation's leading distributors of fine wines, spirits, beer and other beverages.
Hamilton Callison
Senior Director of Legislative Affairs
Breakthru Beverage Illinois
As the Senior Director of Legislative Affairs, Hamilton works closely with Breakthru’s Illinois and Corporate leadership team to support governmental affairs at a local, state, and national level.
Hamilton has worked in the wine and spirits industry since 2008. He started with E&J Gallo Winery in Modesto, California, and worked for their International Finance and Capital Procurement teams. Since 2011, he has worked for Breakthru and Wirtz Beverage, serving as a Key Account Manager for grocery, Finance Manager, and Director of Operations.
Hamilton was born and raised in Belleville, Illinois, and has been an active member of the Metro East community his entire life. He holds an MBA in Corporate Finance from the University of Notre Dame in South Bend, Indiana, and a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from St. Louis University in St. Louis, Missouri.
Michael J Thompson
EVP/General Manager
Southern Glazer's Wine and Spirits
Mike Thompson is a distinguished beverage alcohol executive currently serving as the Executive Vice President/General Manager for Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits of Illinois, a top-5 market in the country managing over $1.3 Billion in sales revenue.
Prior to his current role, Mike held various leadership positions throughout his distinguished career in the industry, including most recently as the EVP/GM of SGWS-Indiana.
After beginning his career with E&J Gallo Winery and Romano Brothers Beverage Company, Mike honed his skills and reputation as a brand builder, mentor and sales executive with top line growth in both wine and spirit divisions across Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits.
Mike earned his bachelor’s degree from Michigan State University and an MBA from Northwestern’s Kellog School of Management.
Mike resides downtown Chicago where he enjoys keeping a pulse on the city’s hospitality industry and when time allows is an avid golfer and sports fan.