Ole Smoky Distillery has confirmed a switch of CEO with former Gallo and Constellation Brands executive Michael Novy taking the helm.
Novy (below) will move from his current position as CEO of 818 Tequila owner Calabasas Beverage Co in Chicago to Tennessee to join Ole Smoky. He takes over from Robert Hall, who is retiring after nine years in the post and “moving closer to his family in California”.
Novy started in the alcohol industry in 1989, when he joined Gallo (then known as E&J Gallo Winery). After 17 years with the group, where he rose to the post of VP of marketing, he headed to Constellation Brands for the next 12 years, concentrating predominantly on the group’s spirits presence. The move to Calabasas, which is co-owned by Kendall and Kylie Jenner and also features the Sprinter RTD mark in its portfolio, occurred in early 2021, via 20 months at Tequila Casa Dragones.
Novy became CEO of Calabasas in July last year.
“We are pleased to welcome Mike Novy to Ole Smoky,” said Nick Hartman, a partner at the company’s majority owner, Apax Partners. “Mike’s leadership, commercial skills and industry experience will further accelerate growth and help achieve even greater levels of success, leveraging the strong foundation built since the company’s founding in 2010.
“I would also like to thank Robert for his significant contributions over the last nine and a half years as CEO.”
As well as its namesake moonshine and flavoured American whiskey stable, Ole Smoky also owns Tanteo Spirits and its namesake tequila, following its acquisition of the business almost exactly two years ago. Former Brown-Forman CFO Jane Morreau joined the company’s board a month before the transaction.
