Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                   CONTACT: Stephanie Pagan
                                                                                       202-371-9792 x301

Washington, D.C.—The Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America (WSWA) will honor William Goldring, chairman of the Sazerac Company and Crescent Crown Distributing Company, with the prestigious Lifetime Leadership Award at WSWA’s 68th Annual Convention & Exposition in Orlando, Fla., April 10-13, 2011. The award is given annually to the wholesaler whose contributions to WSWA and the alcohol beverage industry define excellence, inspire loyalty and exemplify leadership.

A third-generation industry leader, Goldring began his career with Seagram in trade research and sales in New York and Maryland. In returning to the family business at Magnolia Liquor Company in Louisiana, he worked in warehousing, sales and sales management, becoming president in 1972. His vision led to the expansion into Republic Beverage and then into Republic National Distributing Company, which today is the second largest beverage alcohol wholesaler in the United States. Meanwhile, the Sazerac Company is the largest distiller in the U.S. and Crescent Crown Distributing Company is the fourth largest beer wholesaler.

“Bill is extremely deserving of this award,” WSWA President and CEO Craig Wolf said. “He has dedicated his entire career – more than 45 years – to the beverage alcohol business. He is a leader in the wine, spirits and beer industry through his involvement with WSWA and the National Beer Wholesalers Association. He has served on our board since 1966 and is our longest-serving board member.”

In addition to serving as chairman for the above mentioned companies, he is also chairman of Spar Advertising; the Board of Directors of the Audubon Institute Foundation; the Ogden Museum of Southern Art (past chairman); the Goldring Family Foundation; and the Woldenberg Foundation. He is also a member of several boards of directors as well as the recipient of numerous awards and honors including the Tulane University Dermott McGlinchey Lifetime Achievement Award and A.B. Freeman School of Business Distinguished Alumni Award; the City of New Orleans Mayor’s Medal of Honor; the Junior Achievement Hall of Fame Award; the Louisiana Governor’s Arts Award; and the United Way Alexis de Tocqueville Award, among others.

The WSWA convention will be held at the Grand Lakes Orlando Resort.

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The Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America (WSWA) is the national trade organization representing the wholesale tier of the wine and spirits industry. It is dedicated to advancing the interests and independence of wholesale distributors and/or brokers of wine and/or spirits.