Our Team
Our team is trained both internationally and locally, so they understand your needs and the environment in which you do business.
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Brian Cameron
CEO / Managing Partner
(818) 879-3806
A 30 year industry veteran who has managed some of the biggest wine brands nationally: Trinchero, Robert Mondavi and Constellation Brands USA. Brian brings a lot of creativity and knowledge on navigating the three tier system and building brands in all channels. Brian has built strong relationships with the current national wholesalers, as well as both regional and grocery chains.
Michael Halsey
COO / Managing Partner
michaelhalsey@firststepbeverage.co
949-307-6784
With over 25 years of Supply Chain and Operational executive leadership for both Target and BestBuy corporations, as well as being the VP/Chief Operating Officer of KonaRed Beverages, Michael brings a tremendous level of innovative business solutions from lean efficiencies, supply chain and digital marketing strategy development.
Colin McPhee
SVP Corporate Accounts
(949)-702-3789
Colin McPhee has a degree from Cal Poly Pomona in Food Science and Agriculture and started working with First Step Beverage as he completed his degree program. He has had the pleasure of working with seasoned veterans and learning the National/Regional Channel and has worked his way up to SVP Corporate Accounts. Colin McPhee is based in Austin Texas and is responsible for networking the brands with all corporate accounts and beverage marketing agencies. We have strong ties with IMI, Patrick Henry, Backbar and many others.
With Colin's leadership, FSB has successfully launched several brands nationally in less than 12 months of distribution into some of these prominent accounts such as Hyatt, Mastro’s, Morton’s, Stepstone Hospitality, IHG/Kimpton Hotels, Tribute Portfolio, Invited Clubs, Marriott, Delta Sky Club, Legends Hospitality, Aimbridge Hospitality, Levy, H.E.I, PPX Hospitality and Hilton Corporate to name a few.
Chris Turbeville
Senior Vice President -National Accounts
(949) 412-9784
With more than 33 years of experience in beverage alcohol sales and management, Chris has built a successful career with leading companies like Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits, Diageo, and Gallo. He possesses deep industry knowledge and a strong network of relationships, enabling him to develop and execute effective strategic business plans that capitalize on market opportunities across diverse customers and channels. Over the past 7 years, Chris has led Southern Glazer’s national retail sales team, managing key accounts such as Costco, Target, Whole Foods Market, Sprouts, and Cost Plus World Market. In this role, he collaborated with more than 100 suppliers, driving a combined annual revenue of $1.57 billion.
Kevin Johnson
Northern California Chain SVP
Kevin Johnson ran SGWS chains for over 34 years as the VP of Sales and has some of the best relationships with every chain and more importantly every account executive at SGWS.
Ronald G Castruita
Senior VP, Natural
(949) 370-2408
Ron comes from the natural retail industry where he founded natural food stores, and worked as an owner/operator, buyer and category manager. From direct sales, marketing, business development and start-up, he has interfaced with clients as a broker, distributor both nationally and internationally. He has authored sales management and merchandising training manuals and has worked with grocery retail chains, regional accounts and independents successfully bringing new products to market.
Andre Panagetopulos
Regional Vice President- Southern California
Andre Panagetopulos is a 20-year veteran of the wine and spirits industry. He has successfully lead teams and companies large and small and managed all channels across the entire western United States. From Gallo Wine to Pernod Ricard and Milestone Brands, Andre operates with integrity and respect and has a passion for the industry.
David Avila
Northern California Chain SVP
David Avila has spent 23 years at Southern Glazers Wines and Spirits, a global beverage distributor, gaining invaluable insights into market trends, consumer preferences, and supply chain intricacies. His roles encompassed sales, marketing, and management, further honing my expertise. His career in alcohol sales spans three decades, leading product launches and sales strategies.
Carlos Blythe
Regional Vice President- Northern California
Carlos Blythe, a 25-year veteran in the adult beverage space cut his teeth with E&J Gallo, American Wine and Spirits and 10 years as the Sales Manager with Remy Martin-Cointreau. For the last 12 years he has successfully worked with smaller family wine and spirits brands assisting with the day-to-day management and sales at the highest level.
David Seide
Regional Vice President-Southeast
David Seide was and raised in Michigan, David came to the wine business early, growing up working for his father’s distributorship. He began fulltime after graduating from Michigan State University, and later transitioned to a career working exclusively for leading and family-owned wineries over thirty-plus years. He enjoys building successful relationships with distributors and national accounts — both on- and off-premise — and relishes developing existing, new, private, and strategic brands.
John Edgerly
Regional Vice President -Mountain Region
John Edgerly started his career in Colorado with McKesson Wine and Spirits. After 4 years he was recruited by Ste Michelle winery as regional sales manager for CO NM and AZ. 2 years later he was recruited by Trinchero Family Estates where he spent the next 26 years as Division Manager and Western US National Accounts Hotel Manager. In 2013 he started First Step Beverage of Colorado Marketing covering 10 states in the Midwest.
Jake Cameron
Southern California Chain Manager
Jake is a graduate from San Clemente High School who holds two 50 year old school records in basketball for most three points in a game and season. His tenacity for being the best was seen when he worked for Youngs Market Company in 2019 as one of the youngest managers hired to run a territory. He joined First Step Beverage as a territory manager calling on the top grocery stores in Orange County and San Diego. Jake now handles multiple chains and works with the DSD stores selling our brands into top accounts.
First Step Beverage
Established 2009
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