Breakthru Beverage Group names CFO

Newly formed Breakthru Beverage Group – now one of the leading drinks distribution firms in the US – has appointed Gene Luciana to the position of chief financial officer.

Gene Luciana has been named chief financial officer at Breakthru Beverage Group

Breakthru Beverage Group launched in October last year following the merger of distribution heavyweights Charmer Sunbelt Group and Wirtz Beverage Group.

Gene Luciana, who previously held a number of executive positions at Charmer Sunbelt, including CFO, will now oversee finance, accounting and auditing for Breakthru’s corporate, sales and operations teams.

The company has also appointed Arthur Wirtz to the position of EVP, operations; Ann Giambusso to the position of chief human resources officer; and Arlyn Miller to the position of EVP, general counsel.

Luciana, Giambusso and Miller will be based in New York, while Wirtz will be based in Chicago. All assumed their positions on 1 January 2016.

“The wealth of experience and knowledge from each individual leading Breakthru’s functions is among the best in the industry,” said Greg Baird, CEO of Breakthru Beverage Group.

“Our ability to close this complicated transaction, secure necessary licensing and financing and integrate efficiently is largely attributable to the hard work of this team.”

Breakthru, which went live in January 2016, recently made a number of key appointments to drive its commercial strategy.