Zamora Company Strengthens International Leadership Team

Mike Howard Appointed Director of North American Cluster, and André Duarte to Lead Latin America

 

Zamora Company, owner of Licor 43, Ramón Bilbao, Martin Miller’s Gin and other premium wine and spirits brands, has appointed Mike Howard as Director of its North American Cluster, overseeing the United States and Canada. The company has also named André Duarte Director of its Latin American Cluster, covering South America, Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean.

The appointments are part of Zamora Company’s continued focus on its international business and two regions it sees as important to future growth. In the 2025 financial year, the international market accounted for 54.4% of Zamora Company’s business.

 

Howard will be based in Dallas, Texas, while Duarte will operate from São Paulo, Brazil. Both executives bring extensive experience in the beverage and spirits industry, including brand building, distribution, commercial strategy and market management.

 

The new structure is intended to bring leadership and decision-making closer to individual markets, while maintaining a consistent approach to the company’s brands and portfolio internationally.

 

“Our international scale requires us to combine a global vision with strong local execution. The addition of Mike and André brings two leaders with deep industry expertise who can help drive our growth within our ‘One Agile Global Company’ model, which is delivering excellent results,” said Javier Pijoan, CEO of Zamora Company.

 

Mike Howard to Lead North America

Howard brings more than 25 years of experience in commercial leadership, brand development and operational management in the beverage industry, primarily in the North American market. He has held senior positions on both the supplier and distribution sides of the business.

 

Prior to joining Zamora Company, Howard served as President, North America for Stoli Group USA. Before that, he was Chief Commercial Officer at Altos Planos, where he led the commercial development of Mijenta Tequila as the brand grew sales by more than 400% over three years.

 

Howard also founded and led Southwest Spirits & Wine, growing the company from $3.5 million to $30 million in revenue. Additionally, he has held senior roles at Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits, where he managed the P&L for a $600 million distribution business.

 

At Zamora Company, Howard will be responsible for growing the company’s business in the United States and Canada, refining its go-to-market strategy and overseeing commercial activity across the portfolio.

 

Howard holds a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Stephen F. Austin State University and an Executive MBA from the Wharton School of Business.

 

André Duarte to Lead Latin America

Duarte brings more than 30 years of executive experience in the beverage and spirits industry, with a career spanning commercial strategy, business development, distribution and marketing across Latin America and the Caribbean.

 

He joins Zamora Company from Brown-Forman, where he held senior management positions. Duarte previously held several leadership roles at William Grant & Sons, including responsibility for the company’s operations in Brazil, and has also worked for AB InBev.

His experience includes Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Uruguay, Paraguay, Peru, Colombia, Ecuador and other markets throughout the region, with responsibilities ranging from P&L management and commercial planning to distributor relations and brand building.

 

In his new role, Duarte will oversee growth of Zamora Company’s wine and spirits portfolio across Latin America. He will build on the company’s performance in Mexico, Brazil and Colombia while expanding its commercial efforts in other key markets throughout the region.

 

Duarte holds a Bachelor’s degree in Economics from the Pontifícia Universidade Católica de São Paulo (PUC-SP) and a postgraduate degree in Business Administration from FGV-CEAG SP.

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About Zamora Company

Zamora Company is a 100% family-owned Spanish company that produces and markets high-value-added spirits and wines, focusing on customer satisfaction and the creation and development of premium brands. Operating in more than 80 countries, Zamora Company has an experienced international team of over 580 people and an extensive portfolio of premium brands, with production plants in Spain, Italy and the USA, and an annual turnover of 255 million euros (2025).

 

With 80 years of history, the Spanish company originated with Licor 43 and today owns internationally renowned brands such as Licor 43, Ramón Bilbao, Limoncello Villa Massa, Martin Miller’s Gin, Lolea, Mar de Frades, Godeval, Zoco, Cruz de Alba, Thunder Bitch, El Afilador, Yellow Rose, Tequila Volteo, and Berezko, in addition to the distributed brands that make up the family-owned company’s product portfolio: Tequila Buen Amigo, Ron Abuelo, Champagne Pommery, Tito’s Vodka, Bottega, and Tequila Don Ramón, among others.

 

The company is committed to sustainable development through its Conscious Company Plan, which defines its commitment to the planet, employees, consumers and society through three fundamental axes: good governance, transparency and conscious leadership. zamoracompany.com