Novo Fogo Cachaça appoints former Starbucks exec Jeremy Lenz as Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer.
Lenz, who has been an investor in the company over the past several years, will be responsible for helping the Seattle-based company’s worldwide operations while providing financial stewardship during this period of accelerated growth.
“Jeremy has been a part of the Novo Fogo family for the last few years and already knows the company well, making this a natural transition for all of us,” says Dragos Axinte, Founder and CEO of Novo Fogo. “His global leadership background provides a stable platform of growth for our team, while his jet propulsion energy meshes very well with where we’re going.”
Lenz joins Novo Fogo after 20 years of finance leadership roles at Starbucks, where he was responsible for product innovation, retail development, international expansion, equity transactions, global sustainability, and others.
His accomplishments include the launch and distribution of the Starbucks coffee liqueur (with Jim Beam), retail initiation for Starbucks’ first RTD drink in Asia, as well as market openings and equity transactions in numerous countries around the world. In his last assignment at Starbucks, Lenz led the “Funding Our Future” growth team, unlocking opportunities to increase the wages of Store Partners in the USA.
Lenz takes over for former COO Gabriela Dalnekoff, who is taking some time off to focus on her family and health. Gabriela will not be going far though, as she will be returning to Novo Fogo soon in a different role related to health and wellness. This speaks to Novo Fogo’s company culture, who have been trailblazers for sponsoring personal longevity initiatives for spirit industry members.
As Dragos Axinte puts it, “We like to apply Banksy’s concept of, ‘When you’re tired, learn to rest, not to quit’.” He and the team look forward to welcoming Gabriela back and working with her to enhance a program that is consistent with both the company’s core values and her personal life path.
Novo Fogo is a multi-continental company with team members, operations, and assets in South America, North America, and Europe. Recent product launches include Bar Strength Cachaça (1 liter bottle), Tree-Keeper™ Sparkling Caipirinha RTD Tropical Variety 6-Pack, Tree-Keeper™ Caipirinha Kit, and the OId Fashioned Highball RTD.
Novo Fogo Cachaça products are distributed in the USA by 375 Park Avenue Spirits of New Orleans, LA (a division of The Sazerac Company) and in Europe by Société Dugas of Paris, France. For more information on Novo Fogo and its family of products, visit www.novofogo.com.
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Source: Mixology News
