Springboard Wine Company is excited to welcome industry veteran Jay James to the management team. Jay joins Springboard as vice president and general manager, working alongside owners Sybil Ajay Sanford and Elizabeth Corsini, and in conjunction with Bruce King, chief financial officer.
Jay’s extensive background in hospitality, distribution and supplier relations will be instrumental to Springboard’s mission of keeping the wine and spirits industry diverse, enjoyable, and chock full of humanity. Owners Sybil and Elizabeth have spent the last 16-plus years building an exceptional portfolio and team, all in support of their customers, and they could not be more excited to have the strength of expertise and leadership that Jay provides.
Elizabeth Corsini says about Jay, “It feels like an early Christmas to add someone with such a high level of skill, thoughtfulness and dedication to the frequently overwhelming mix of efforts required to steer a growing distribution business. We’re thrilled to bring him to the team.”
In 1986, James launched his career in hospitality at the Ritz Carlton Atlanta, and moved on to roles as wine director for several high-profile restaurants in the area before migrating to distribution, handling key account sales for Atlanta Wholesale Wine beginning in 1995. After earning the rigorous Master Sommelier Diploma in 1997, Jay was tapped to open the Bellagio Resort in Las Vegas as director of wine in 1998. 2005 saw him join the leadership of Southern Wine and Spirits Nevada, ultimately serving there as vice president of fine wine. Changing gears to the winery segment in 2013, he moved to Napa Valley and took on the role of director of sales for Chappellet Vineyard. Senior-level posts with Larkmead Vineyard and Joseph Phelps Vineyards followed, prior to Jay’s appointment with Springboard.
Sybil notes, “At Springboard we constantly seek improvement, strive to embrace the changes that come with growth, and focus on our ultimate target of achieving excellence as a distributor. We are excited to welcome Jay to help us accomplish those goals.”
Education has remained a priority throughout Jay’s career, from speaking at top wine and food events, writing for various national publications about wine and beverages, teaching and examining for the Court of Master Sommeliers, to serving as Chairman of SommFoundation. Such formidable resources and experience now come to the Springboard team, in service of helping them attain their goal of being the best sales force in the industry.
“Springboard Wine Company is perhaps the most innovative and progressive distributor I have encountered yet,” Jay explains. “Sybil and Liz have built a vibrant sales organization and a remarkable company. It is a privilege to join them and the Springboard team in their mission.”
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