General Distributors Inc. Announces Senior Leadership Changes

General Distributors, Inc

May 29, 2015 – Oregon City, OR – Local, family-owned General Distributors, Inc. (GDI) today announced Senior Leadership changes that will position the company for future growth and success.

Steve “Tiny” Irwin, Business Development Manager, has been named General Manager and will assume responsibilities effective June 29. Current General Manager Steve Mysinger will transition to EVP of Special Projects after nearly 20 years as GM.

“During his tenure as GM, Steve Mysinger has led the company through numerous transformative changes in an increasingly competitive marketplace. His ongoing expertise will be instrumental as we build a stronger GDI” says Charles A. Fick III, President of General Distributors, Inc.

“Tiny is the right choice to lead GDI into the future,” said Mr. Fick. “He is a talented leader who brings deep insights and experience from within the Beverage Industry and has enormous support from our customers. Tiny has tackled every challenge he’s taken on, and we couldn’t be more excited about his new role and vision to lead this company.”  Tiny will continue to cultivate the business GDI has with its current supplier partners and lead GDI in its Craft expansion as one of the owners/members of the Great Artisan Beverage Co. “His focused and highly driven sales management style will have an immediate impact on positioning GDI as a premier beverage distributor in the Portland market.”

“It’s a privilege to work with the Fick Family and to be appointed to serve as their General Manager,” adds Tiny. “There has never been a better time to be a part of GDI. Coors Light is the number one brand in Portland, the Constellation portfolio continues to outperform competition, Mike’s Hard Lemonade owns the FMB category and our craft portfolio is outpacing expectations. Portland is the most progressive beverage city in the country and I’m eager to work closely with our valued supplier partners to lead the company into the next phase of our growth.”

Prior to GDI, Tiny served as VP Sales for Rogue Ales and Spirits after spending 12 years at MillerCoors in a variety of sales roles ranging from Distributor Management to Chain Sales.

About General Distributors, Inc.:
GDI is a premier beverage distributor in the Portland Metro market that services 11 counties from Salem to Hood River. The company was founded as “Fick Cigar Co” by Charles A. Fick, Sr. and his brother George Fick, Sr. in 1933. During Prohibition they distributed candy, cigarettes and cigars. After Prohibition repeal they began selling the Olympia beer brand and expanded their portfolio exponentially as the years progressed.  The current warehouse and headquarters are located in Oregon City, OR where they employ over 140 people. Their current portfolio includes MillerCoors, Constellation, Mike’s Hard Lemonade in addition to a great variety of national and local craft breweries, cideries, wineries and non-alcoholic beverages.

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