Randy Barnhart, Vice President – General Manager, Southern Wine & Spirits of New England — a division of Southern Wine & Spirits of America, Inc., the country’s largest wine and spirits distributor — today announced Mark J. Simmons’ promotion to Vice President – General Manager - Wine for Southern Wine & Spirits of New England. The appointment is effective immediately.

“During his tenure with Southern, Mark has had a positive impact on his portfolios and has been a key influencer on our overall business. I am confident that he will continue to add value as he advances our mutual business interests across our entire wine portfolio in New England.”

Simmons joined the Southern team in 2005, and initially managed the wine portfolios for Diageo Château and Estates Wines and Moët Hennessy USA across Maine, Vermont and New Hampshire. Last year, his responsibilities were expanded to include oversight of Diageo’s on premise business as well. Commenting on Simmons’ appointment, Barnhart said, “During his tenure with Southern, Mark has had a positive impact on his portfolios and has been a key influencer on our overall business. I am confident that he will continue to add value as he advances our mutual business interests across our entire wine portfolio in New England.

Prior to joining Southern in 2005, Simmons was Regional Manager for The Robert Mondavi Company in New England for four years. Simmons began his career in the beverage alcohol business as a Sales Representative for the Martignetti Companies in New Hampshire. In 1991, Mr. Simmons earned a BS in Business Management from Keene State College.