General Manager of Jack Daniel’s Production to Retire; Veteran Brown-Forman Executive Named as Successor

LOUISVILLE, Ky.–(BUSINESS WIRE)– Brown-Forman Corporation (NYS: BFA) (NYS: BFB) announced today that Tommy Beam, senior vice president and general manager of Jack Daniel‘s Production Operations in Lynchburg, Tennessee, is retiring from the company after 48 years of service. His official retirement date is July 31, 2013.

“Tommy Beam has had a truly remarkable career in one of the top jobs not only within Brown-Forman but in our entire industry,” said Jane Morreau, senior vice president and chief production officer. “For the last eleven years he has led our entire Jack Daniel‘s production operations while overseeing several expansion projects during a time of significant growth for the brand. Tommy has been a great leader and we wish him nothing but the best during his retirement.”

Beam joined the Jack Daniel Distillery in 1965 as an accountant and served in a succession of roles with increasing responsibility until being named general manager of all Jack Daniel‘s production operations in 2002. During this time, Beam led a team of 435 employees to record levels of production, reaching shipments of about 11 million nine liter cases of Jack Daniel‘s Tennessee Whiskey worldwide during fiscal 2012.

Brown-Forman also announced that Larry Combs has been named to succeed Beam as senior vice president and general manager of Jack Daniel‘s operations. Combs joined Brown-Forman in 1992 and has been involved in nearly every aspect of the company’s production operations over the last two decades. For the last three years, he led Brown-Forman’s Technical Services group, including Quality Assurance, R&D, Engineering, Packaging and Environmental, with outstanding results. In addition, he has guided our European Operations and External Manufacturing Operations globally. Combs will continue to oversee external manufacturing operations in addition to his new role as general manager of all Jack Daniel‘s production operations.

“Larry has demonstrated excellent leadership ability and we believe is the ideal person to take on the responsibility of managing the productions operations of our largest and most important brand,” stated Morreau.

For more than 140 years, Brown-Forman Corporation has enriched the experience of life by responsibly building fine quality beverage alcohol brands, including Jack Daniel‘s Tennessee Whiskey, Southern Comfort, Finlandia, Jack Daniel‘s & Cola, Canadian Mist, Korbel, Gentleman Jack, el Jimador, Herradura, Sonoma-Cutrer, Chambord, New Mix, Tuaca, and Woodford Reserve. Brown-Forman’s brands are supported by nearly 4,000 employees and sold in approximately 160 countries worldwide. For more information about …read more

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