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Avante Beverages has created a sales and marketing team of wine professionals to bring premium wine to the Texas fine wine trade.
Operating as an alternative to the mega wine distributors, Avante Beverages focuses on a carefully selected group of fine wines. Using this focused approach, it has allowed us to establish reliable partnerships with retail purveyors and restaurateurs. With sales forces in key Texas markets, Avante Beverages continues to expand its portfolio and service in its never-ending drive to be the best in its class.
Our overriding objective will always be to blend innovation with superior wine knowledge in order to bring premium products to a market that currently get lost in huge distributor portfolios.
Avante Beverages currently operates out of the corporate offices in Dallas with satellite offices to open in Austin and Houston in 2010.
John Gillis
President
The Gillis Family has been in the alcoholic beverage industry for 24 years. John Gillis has been President of GLI Distributing since 1991. GLI has now grown its import/ specialty volume to 65% share of the category. Recognizing the growth in wine sales John made the decision to establish Avante Beverages.
S. Rucker Lewis
Director of Market Development
Mr. Lewis is a multifaceted individual with 15+ years experience in the DFW beverage industry and is exactly what a start-up company such as Avante Beverages needs. His supplier/ distributor history is important to the growth of relationships that are crucial in this market.
Braxton Cooper
General Manager
With a history in the DFW market for 11+ years, Mr. Cooper knows the customer/vendor relationship is important. His expertise in teamwork and communication affects all aspects of the distributor level contacts. This makes him an integral part of Avante Beverages’ future business.
Paul Bochniak
Texas On-Premise Manager
With 14+ years experience in both the DFW and Chicago markets, Mr. Bochniak lends his experience towards top echelon accounts that specialize in quality wines. He will promote the development of fine wines throughout the metroplex and continue the development of the on-premise department of Avante Beverages.
Wade Cooper
Director of Sales
Mr. Cooper started in the wine industry 13 years ago with a summer warehouse gig......from there he honed in on his passion for wine and desire to take it to the streets. His gregarious personality and knack for 'rollin' with his customers catapulted him into sales, then brand managment and now as Director of Sales for Avante Beverages.
Stan Jimenez
General Operations Manager
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