Michigan Beer & Wine Wholesalers Association elects new leadership to its board of directors

Distributors from Holly, Highland Park, Holland and Ann Arbor take on key leadership roles

LANSING, Mich. — The Michigan Beer & Wine Wholesalers Association (MB&WWA) is proud to announce the election of new executive officers and at-large directors. This leadership team will guide the MB&WWA over the next two years, continuing its efforts to support Michigan’s beer and wine distributors and drive the industry forward.

Joanie O’Sullivan-Butler, president and CEO of John P. O’Sullivan Distributing in Holly, was elected chair of the MB&WWA Board of Directors. She is the third woman to chair the Association and the first since 2008. O’Sullivan-Butler succeeds A.J. Mathews, president of West Side Beer Distributing in Romulus, who served two years as chair. Lew Cooper III, co-CEO of Great Lakes Wine & Spirits in Highland Park, was elected vice chair. Jim Permesang, general manager of Mervenne Beverage in Holland, and Jamie Warbritton, wine purchaser and vice president of transportation at Rave Associates in Ann Arbor, were elected to at-large director positions.

Permesang and Warbritton join Larry Cekola, chief relationships officer at Imperial Beverage Company in Kalamazoo, James C. Fabiano II, CEO of Fabiano Brothers Inc. in Bay City, Shannon Gary, vice president of operations at Alliance Beverage Distributing in Grand Rapids, Jason Howard, general manager of I.H.S. Distributing Co. in Kalamazoo, Kit Wanty-Lambert, president of O&W Inc. in Ypsilanti, and Jeff Quasarano, vice president of Eastown Distributors Company in Highland Park.

“I want to thank A.J. Mathews for his leadership and dedication over the past two years,” O’Sullivan-Butler said. “It’s a true honor to be the third woman to serve as chair of the MB&WWA Board of Directors. I’m committed to building on the association’s strong foundation, amplifying our advocacy, supporting our members, and ensuring Michigan’s beer and wine distributors remain a driving force in our state’s economy.”

Founded in 1976, John P. O’Sullivan Distributing is a family-owned beer distributor committed to quality service and innovation. Serving over 2,200 retailers, bars and restaurants across 11 Michigan counties, its team of more than 150 employees delivers a wide range of beverages, from local craft brews to major brands like Molson Coors, Corona, Samuel Adams and more.

“The MB&WWA has a long history of championing Michigan’s three-tier system, a model that ensures choice, competition and access for consumers across the state,” Cooper said. “I’m proud to help carry that legacy forward and to support the continued growth, strength and integrity of our industry.”

Great Lakes Wine & Spirits is Michigan’s largest wine and spirits distributor, serving all 83 counties with an extensive portfolio of renowned and innovative brands. The distributor’s motto is ‘local everywhere,’ and the company is dedicated to providing exceptional service, fostering community growth and maintaining a family-oriented culture.

“I’m excited to step into a leadership role on the MB&WWA Board of Directors and be part of shaping what’s next for our industry,” Permesang said. “Michigan’s independent beer and wine distributors have a rich history and incredible resilience, and by working together, we can continue to support our retail and supplier partners while ensuring consumers have access to the best products available.”

Established in 1951, Mervenne Beverage is a family-owned beer distributor in Holland that has built a strong foundation of trust and partnership with its customers. The team prides itself on being committed to providing quality products and maintaining strong relationships.

“For generations, Michigan’s beer and wine distributors have served as trusted stewards of a system that supports responsibility, fairness and a vibrant marketplace,” Warbritton said. “I’m proud to carry that tradition forward as a member of the MB&WWA Board of Directors and to represent the hardworking people who power Michigan’s thriving beer and wine industry.”

Rave Associates is a family-owned beer and wine distributor serving nine counties in southeastern Michigan. Since its founding in 1974, Rave has focused on representing the finest products in the industry, with a management team dedicated to quality and uniqueness in every selection.

As the MB&WWA moves forward with newly elected leadership, it remains committed to representing Michigan’s independent, locally owned beer and wine distributors and advancing their advocacy on legislative, regulatory, legal and public policy matters.