Brad Vassar, Southern’s Executive Vice President, General Manager, said, “Dan and his family have called Minnesota home for the past 20 years, and he has a wealth of experience in the state’s wine and spirits industry. On behalf of the J.J. Taylor-Southern joint venture, I am pleased to congratulate Dan on joining our Minnesota organization.”  Vassar added, “Dan’s appointment represents an important milestone in our joint venture agreement with J.J. Taylor announced earlier this spring—especially as we continue to build our second-to-none wine and spirits sales and operational capabilities across the entire state.”  According to Vassar, Daul’s appointment is effective immediately.

Daul has over 25 years of local experience in the food and beverage industry—most recently working in sales and retail chains management with a Minnesota wholesaler.  He is married to Kari, and they have three boys: Brandon, Logan and Carson. Daul is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin in La Crosse.

The effective date of joint venture operations will coincide with the approval of state and federal licensing.

About Southern Wine & Spirits of America, Inc.
Southern Wine & Spirits of America, Inc. is the nation’s largest wine and spirits distributor with operations in 30 states. The multi-state distributor currently operates in: Alabama, Arizona, California, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Kentucky, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Maine, Mississippi, New Hampshire, Nevada, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Vermont, Virginia and West Virginia—as well as the additional seven states of Alaska, Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming and Utah through the Southern-Odom/Spirits West partnership. Southern has recently announced the formation of a joint venture in Minnesota with J.J. Taylor Distributing Company and in Maryland and the District of Columbia with F.P. Winner Wine & Spirits. Southern also holds operating licenses and permits in Nebraska and Texas. On a national basis, Southern Wine & Spirits of America, Inc. employs more than 11,000 team members. For more information contact: www.southernwine.com

About J.J. Taylor Companies, Inc.
J.J. Taylor Companies, Inc. is a leading malt beverage distributor for Miller, Coors, Heineken, many craft, import and specialty brands. J. J. Taylor was founded in 1958 by John J. "Joe" Taylor. Through the years the company has grown both internally and through acquisitions under the leadership of Joe's son, John J. Taylor, III. Today, with operations in Minnesota and Florida, the company is one of the top ten beer distributors in the United States. For more information contact: www.jjtaylor.com.