US-based alcohol distribution major Republic National Distributing Co has confirmed that CEO Nick Mehall will be leaving the group.
Bob Hendrickson, the company’s current COO, will step in as interim lead from 3 March. RNDC will begin the search for a permanent CEO, and did not disclose the reasons behind Mehall’s departure.
Mehall (below) joined RNDC in 2017 as CFO and was named CEO in early 2022. Hendrickson, meanwhile, most recently acted as senior commercial adviser to the business, having previously held roles at Gallo and Julius Schepps.
RNDC board member Marc Sachs said: “While the industry continues to face headwinds and unprecedented change, we are confident that his [Hendrickson] experience, operational expertise and strong industry relationships will provide steady leadership and the stability our supplier partners and customers seek as we move forward.”
Republic Beverage Co was created in 1997 through the merger of Julius Schepps and Tarrant Co, which combined with National Distributing Co to form RNDC in 2006.
Earlier this week, Brown-Forman switched distributors in California, opting to change from RNDC to Reyes Beverage Group. Reyes Beverage Group has handled the distribution of the Jack Daniel’s & Coca-Cola RTD in California since 2022.
