B.R. Distilling company, parent company of Blue Note Bourbon, announced the appointment of two new corporate leaders. Gregg Smith has been named the company’s new Chief Financial Officer, while Christopher (Chris) Crosbie was named as its new Vice President of National Sales.

Smith (pictured at left) brings more than 30 years of experience in financial and business development leadership for organizations in telecom, healthcare, software, logistics, services, and beverage manufacturing industries. His specialties include finance and operations process development, mergers and acquisitions, financial analysis, acquisition integration, strategic planning, raising capital, international operations, problem solving, IT strategy, sales, and business development.

In this new role, Smith will be responsible for B.R. Distilling Company’s financial planning and analysis, external reporting, banking relationships, and internal controls. He will also have oversight of Human Resources, help to raise capital, and build relationships with key partners, investors, and vendors. He will report directly to Logan Welk, President, and Chief Operating Officer of B.R. Distilling Company.

”Gregg is an accomplished CFO whose expertise makes him an invaluable asset to our team,” Welk said in a news release. “Earlier this year, B.R. Distilling closed a multi-million dollar financing round from existing shareholders. Gregg’s leadership and insights will be invaluable as we focus on generating distribution and depletions for Blue Note bourbon within our current U.S. markets as well as later this year when raise a larger growth capital round of equity financing. I’m thrilled to welcome Gregg to our team.” 

Gregg earned a BA in Accounting and a master’s degree in International Accounting from the University of Mississippi. A native of Northeast Arkansas, he currently resides in Memphis with his wife and two children.

Crosbie will develop and deliver the company’s annual operating plan for all regions designed to build national brand awareness, education, and sales for Blue Note whiskey. He will also lead financial and operational management, provide strategic direction and oversight of profitability and distributor strategy, and oversee marketing and sales plans for trade channels, field execution, team performance, and talent development and recruitment. He also will report directly to Welk.

“With his deep industry and leadership experience, Chris possesses all the qualities to effectively lead our sales team and help to expand the Blue Note brand footprint in the U.S.,” Welk said. “In a few short years, Blue Note has caught the attention of whiskey lovers and experts alike. For example, our flagship Juke Joint and Crossroads expressions were both awarded Double Gold medals at the prestigious San Francisco World Spirits Competitions for the last two years. We’re excited and ready to capitalize on this momentum.”

Crosbie studied Business Administration at Edinburgh’s Telford College and is currently working towards a BA in History in his spare time.  A native of Edinburgh, Scotland, he lives in the New York Metro area.