Former Pernod Ricard executive David Szydlik has joined celebrity-backed Santo Spirits as its next CEO.
Szydlik (below) joins the owner of the namesake tequila brand, founded by musician Sammy Hagar and chef Guy Fieri, after almost seven years at Two Sons Imports. The new CEO oversaw the scaling of Cantera Negra tequila in his previous role and last year sold Two Sons’ remaining share in the brand to Deutsch Family Wine & Spirits.
Szydlik said he had been “looking for a new opportunity to take what I learned with that brand and apply it to another company doing things the right way”.
Szydlik takes over from Dan Butkus, who will remain with the company as a partner. Butkus joined Santos, which also produces a ‘mezquila’ under the namesake brand name, in 2022 after almost 15 years at Gruppo Campari’s America division.
Hagar, who co-founded the company in 2017, said: “David’s growth record with Cantera Negra Tequila and his deep distributor and retailer relationships built over the past several decades were key drivers for us bringing him on board to pilot the next phase for Santo.”
Szydlik began his career at The Coca-Cola Co, where he spent a decade before spending six years at Molson Coors Beverage Co. He headed to Pernod Ricard in 2009, working up from sales director to national director of chains in the US, a post he held between 2014 and 2017. Before joining Two Sons, Szydlik spent a year as CEO of Purity Vodka.
Last month, Ghost Tequila welcomed former Tito’s Handmade Vodka executive John McDonnell as the chair of its board.
