HEART Forward

Jose Carrillo, Brand Development Manager for Southern Glazer's Wine & Spirits in Florida, shares how purpose, discipline, and values guide his leadership. From supporting team members through career transitions to emphasizing mental and physical health, Jose’s message is clear: when leaders invest in people and lead with HEART, everyone grows

Bob McKim, Senior Director of Operations, New York for Southern Glazer's Wine & Spirits, shares his journey through operations and logistics, shaped by decades of experience in fast‑paced, execution‑driven environments. Through a powerful story of his team rallying around a colleague during a serious illness, Bob brings HEART to life, showing how compassion, teamwork, and genuine care create belonging and lasting impact. His message is clear: when values move beyond words and become daily actions, they build strong teams, resilient cultures, and meaningful results

Rachel Pallais, Chain Account Specialist for Southern Glazer's Wine & Spirits Louisiana, reflects on how Honesty has become the guiding value in her leadership. She explains how transparency in expectations, direct but respectful communication, and owning mistakes help create a culture where trust can thrive. Through a memorable coaching moment with a sales consultant - one that required both courage and compassion - she illustrates how honest feedback can strengthen performance, build confidence, and reshape someone’s trajectory. That consultant went on to become one of her top performers, a testament to the power of honest leadership delivered with care. Rachel also reflects on how HEART values elevate the customer and partner experience. When teams feel informed, valued, and aligned, they can support accounts more effectively, innovate with confidence, and drive outstanding results across channels

Justin Sankey, General Manager of Southern Glazer’s newest business unit in Massachusetts, shares his experience leading the company’s first major acquisition in nearly two decades—the integration of Horizon Beverage. Through the lens of Southern Glazer’s HEART values, the conversation explores how agility, teamwork, and collaboration come to life during periods of significant change. From aligning systems and strategies to launching the Proof e‑commerce platform in a new market, Justin reflects on how people - not processes - are the true competitive advantage. Drawing from his career journey across Florida, Illinois, and New England, Justin highlights the importance of culture, connection, and showing up for one another

Brooke Marsh, Senior Director of Logistics for Florida, shares why Teamwork is the HEART value that has shaped her leadership the most. Brooke reflects on one of the defining chapters of her career - navigating unprecedented business growth during COVID while simultaneously rebuilding the Lakeland Distribution Center after an F3 tornado tore a 50,000‑square‑foot hole in the warehouse. Through grit, collaboration, and a relentless commitment to one another, the team never missed a single shipping day. It’s a powerful example of unity, shared purpose, and operational heart in action

Craig Kneifl, Area Manager for the Coastal Pacific Division in Nebraska, shares why Excellence has become the value that guides him most - a mindset of striving to elevate the work he does for customers, his team, and the company. Through a standout story of building a nearly 10‑foot Crown Royal display - with purple paint, teamwork, heavy lifting, and plenty of creativity - he illustrates how excellence comes alive through collaboration and pride in the details. He also offers simple, powerful advice: strive for excellence in everything you do. Passion and effort shine through - and when teams commit to doing things the right way, the results speak for themselves

Kim Scarpone, Senior Vice President of Sales Execution in Nevada, shares defining moments that pushed her to lead with courage, adapt in uncertainty, and embrace a cross‑country move that reshaped her life and leadership. Through her candid reflections, Kim explains how leaning into change, forming alliances, and opening up sooner helped her thrive in new environments and build culture alongside a team committed to supporting one another. She also highlights the power of honesty - especially in senior‑level moments that require vulnerability and difficult conversations. For Kim, honesty delivered with respect builds trust, strengthens relationships, and ensures clarity even when the stakes are high

Jason Bouchard, Director of Brand Development Managers for Southern Glazer's Wine & Spirits, shares what “leading with HEART” means to him - equal parts love and accountability. For Jason, HEART is about creating a culture built on trust, transparency, and growth. He reflects on a defining moment for his team: the launch of the Coastal Pacific BDM division and a powerful three‑day kickoff where every team member shared their “WHY” and crafted their personal operating guidelines. Through vulnerability, authenticity, and connection, the team built a foundation that continues to shape their culture today. He also offers meaningful insights into the small daily habits that sustain purpose‑driven leadership - through intentional leadership, personal purpose, and the belief that legacy is built one grateful moment at a time

Kennedy Granger, On‑Premise Area Manager for Southern Glazer's Wine & Spirits, shares how embracing a growth mindset has helped her navigate a period of significant organizational change - from new team members to new leaders across the division. Through real examples, she highlights how honesty and respect have been essential to building trust, supporting her team, and creating a foundation where everyone can grow. Kennedy also reflects on how living the HEART values helps us develop both personally and professionally - building confidence, strengthening resilience, deepening relationships, and driving high‑performance results. Her story is a reminder that when we choose to lead with HEART, we elevate ourselves and those around us

Steven Rhodehamel, Director of Operations for Southern Glazer's Wine & Spirits of Tennessee, shares what “leading with HEART” truly means to him - adopting the values so fully that they become part of who you are. He reflects on moments across his SGWS career that sparked his belief in HEART in action, from the company’s care and commitment during COVID, to everyday gestures of kindness, connection, and recognition from colleagues and leaders. To Steven, HEART is culture‑building, people‑first leadership, and the belief that small, genuine moments can fuel extraordinary impact. His story is a reminder that when we show up with honesty, agility, and respect, we build workplaces where people feel seen, valued, and inspired to thrive

Mariah Suarez, Talent Acquisition Manager for Southern Glazer's Wine & Spirits, shares how the HEART values serve as the lens through which she approaches every interaction - from leading her recruitment team to partnering with senior leaders and coaching candidates through pivotal career moments. She reflects on a standout example of HEART in action: the “Grow Your Career Day” event, where cross‑functional teams came together to guide employees, share career journeys, and strengthen the culture of learning and development across the organization. She also offers a simple but powerful challenge for everyone listening: take a moment this week to thank someone from a different team. It’s a small gesture that builds connection, strengthens teamwork, and brings HEART to life in meaningful ways.

Eric Einsidler, Vice President of Commercial Strategy East Region for Southern Glazer's Wine & Spirits, brings a grounded perspective on what it truly means to lead with HEART values. Eric shares why Respect has become the most meaningful HEART value to him—one he believes should be given upfront, not earned over time. He reflects on his experiences working alongside his father, a longtime Southern Glazer’s New York driver, whose strong work ethic and customer‑first mindset demonstrated HEART in action every single day. Watching his dad on delivery routes left a lasting impression, and those lessons continue to shape how Eric builds relationships, leads teams, and approaches every interaction with intention. This episode is a powerful reminder that HEART isn’t just a framework—it’s a way of life, passed down through example, lived out daily, and paid forward in how we treat the person standing in front of us

Wilson McGrady, Area Manager for the Illinois Transatlantic Division at Southern Glazer's Wine & Spirits, shares how the HEART values shape the tone of his leadership and the way he supports others. Through real stories, he illustrates how trust, consistency, and purpose‑driven leadership can turn challenges into opportunities for growth. He offers grounded, practical guidance for living HEART each day—giving yourself grace, focusing on long‑term progress, and building sustainable habits. His leadership philosophy reflects the belief that success is built through small, intentional efforts repeated daily

Chyrail "Chy" Crawford, Senior Director of Commercial Insights at Southern Glazer's Wine & Spirits, shares a powerful testament to resilience, purpose, and servant leadership in action. Through her story, Chy reflects on how the HEART values guide her daily mindset—both as a leader and as a mom of four. She shares the moments that affirmed HEART in action, the importance of genuine connection, and the small habits that create meaningful impact, including the “mental check‑ins” inspired by her own lived experiences.

Felix Williams, Vice President of Strategic Accounts & General Sales Manager for the Prestige Division at Southern Glazer's, shares how the HEART values guide his daily mindset, shape his team’s success, and influence the way he mentors others. From navigating high‑stakes customer expectations to inspiring personal growth and record performance, Felix offers insights that are both practical and deeply motivating

Zoe Wilson, a dedicated Sales Consultant at Southern Glazer's Wine & Spirits, shares why Teamwork is the HEART value that has shaped her career and leadership approach. By launching the Conviviality Committee—a creative project designed to strengthen connection and collaboration among Michigan sales teams—Zoe demonstrates how teamwork drives innovation, inclusion, and success. Her story reminds us that when individuals feel heard, teams become stronger, more creative, and more connected

Kimo Correa, Vice President & General Sales Manager, shares why Excellence has become the HEART value that defines his leadership journey—from early days as a driven salesperson to finding deeper fulfillment in helping others succeed. He recounts a powerful story of HEART in action during the Maui wildfires, when the SGWS Hawai‘i team mobilized tirelessly to support families and first responders, proving that values matter most in times of crisis. Finally, Kimo offers a vision for the future—where HEART is embedded so deeply in our culture that it inspires generations to come

Jamie McGoun, Vice President & General Sales Manager, shares why Honesty is the foundation for trust, respect, and teamwork—and how transparency empowers teams and drives performance. Jamie also reflects on a deeply personal moment when Southern Glazer’s rallied around during a family health crisis, showing HEART in action and proving that our values live beyond words. Plus, hear Jamie’s perspective on Agility as a key to thriving through industry change. A powerful story of resilience, authenticity, and leading with HEART