Heaven Hill Distillery in Louisville and Bardstown, Kentucky, has announced a generational shift in leadership. The company, America’s largest independent, family-owned and led distilled spirits supplier, celebrates the succession of its third generation of family leadership with the appointment of Kate Latts (Max’s daughter) and Allan Latts as Co-Presidents, effective September 1, 2022. Current President Max L. Shapira will be assuming the new role of Executive Chairman.
“Over the past twenty years, I have been proud to watch Kate and Allan grow and develop into roles of leadership and increased responsibility,” said Max L. Shapira. “They have added immeasurably to the company’s successes and built a foundation for future generations. They bring the passion for this business that has been a hallmark of our company for 85 plus years. I am highly confident the best is yet to come.”
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Max joined the family enterprise in 1970 after a stint on Wall Street. He had the opportunity to work alongside his father Ed Shapira, ultimately succeeding him in leadership of the company in 1986. Under Max’s leadership, Heaven Hill developed into a global company with an award-winning portfolio of brands across a broad range of product categories and is now one of the industry’s largest and most successful companies. In his new role of Executive Chairman, he will provide partnership and counsel on the strategic direction of the business as well as actively leverage his extensive relationships and industry experience in support of the company’s long-term growth goals.
Since joining the company in 2001, Kate and Allan have been transformational leaders driving Heaven Hill’s accelerated growth. In their new roles as co-presidents, they will continue to pursue Heaven Hill’s strategic growth plans and corporate vision working collaboratively on all key decisions. Max will transition day to day operational oversight of the business to Kate and Allan.
Kate Latts, and her husband, Allan Latts, joined Heaven Hill in 2001. After completing their undergraduate and MBA degrees at Duke University, Kate and Allan then joined Procter & Gamble with careers in marketing and finance, respectively. Today, Kate leads the company’s marketing and brand management functions as Chief Marketing Officer. Allan serves as Chief Operating Officer, overseeing operations, the company’s corporate functions, strategy and the newly acquired Samson & Surrey division.
“Allan and I are proud to assume the leadership of Heaven Hill with full knowledge of our generational responsibility. My dad, grandfather and his brothers built a company with an enduring legacy of family and independence that is increasingly unique in distilled spirits,” said Kate Latts. “With the support of our incredible team, we are as committed as ever to preserving those qualities and ensuring our success for generations to come.”
Heaven Hill will immediately begin its search to identify a new Chief Marketing Officer, while the Chief Operating Officer position will not be backfilled.
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