Peter Hickey

Peter Hickey is Executive Vice President and General Manager of the Southern Wine and Spirits Control States Division currently responsible for nine states, including North Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Mississippi and Alabama.

His first exposure to the wines and spirits business was during his time at Iona College in New York where he graduated with a B.A. in Economics. His affection for the beverage alcohol industry began while he paid for his college education by working as a waiter and bartender in various establishments in the area.

He began his career in 1978 with the Fleischmann Distilling Company where he worked as a Sales Representative in the tough Metro New York market. In 1980, he was transferred and promoted to Metro Chicago Sales Manager.

In 1983, he again was promoted – this time to Regional Vice President of the Central Division. In that position, he was responsible for 15 Midwestern markets. In 1984, based on the strong results in these markets, he was named Regional Vice President of the Year. His final position with Fleischmann Distilling Company was Vice President of Marketing in which he oversaw the development and implementation of all corporate marketing and innovation initiatives.

Upon the sale of that company in 1990, Peter took over the Jim Beam Brands Control States Division with responsibility for all 18 control markets. He was again named Divisional Vice President of the Year in 1994.

During his 10 years at Jim Beam, he also managed various international businesses, including Alberta Distillers Ltd., Jim Beam’s Canadian subsidiary. Other international markets for which Peter was responsible included Mexico, South America, Central America and the Duty Free Division. The National Accounts on-premise and off-premise divisions also reported to him.

His last position at Beam was Vice President Sales and Marketing for the newly acquired Peak Wines International. He was tasked with creating the division’s sales and marketing operation, streamlining the distributor network and developing a structured and disciplined approach to the market.

In 2002, Mr. Hickey was recruited by the Allied Domecq Spirits and Wines Company to create a new Control States Business Unit. In this position, he was responsible for all Allied Domecq sales, marketing, finance and operations in the 18 control markets. He was also a member of the Allied Domecq Executive Committee.

In January 2006, Peter joined Southern Wine & Spirits in the newly created position of Executive Vice President, Control States Division.

During his time at Jim Beam Brands and Allied Domecq, Peter was a member of the NABCA Industry Steering Committee. He has recently been appointed to the NABCA Broker Advisory Committee.

Peter resides in Garden City, NY with his wife, Mary, and their four children.

Return