Guy Stout, CWE, Master Sommelier Corporate Product Training Manager - Wine Guy Stout, Glazer’s Corporate Product Training Manager for Wine, is one of only four Master Sommeliers in Texas and one of only 168 in the world, according to the Court of Master Sommeliers. The credential, earned through rigorous study and experience, is a mark of highest distinction within the wine industry. Guy previously held the rank of Advanced Sommelier, and has worked exceptionally hard to reach this highest level of recognition. His achievement brings further credence to the work being done by all of the Glazer’s training staff in making Glazer’s sales personnel the most knowledgeable in the country. Guy has worked for Glazer’s for fifteen years and has played an invaluable role in helping create Glazer’s Beverage Academy program for wine education. He continues to work diligently to assist his fellow trainers, managers and salespeople to further their understanding and appreciation of wine. He has been a guest lecturer at the University of Houston Hilton School for Hotel and Restaurant Management and a member of the Houston Food and Beverage Managers Association.
	James Gunter Vice President of Domaines & Estates James Gunter is responsible for the design, set-up and implementation of Domaines and Estates, the Glazer’s fine wine sales organization, and the Advantage Wine and Spirits sales organization, which provides on-site brand management for selected Glazer’s products. He continues to develop and expand Glazer’s supplier base of world class products. A graduate of Texas A&M University, James earned an MBA from Southern Methodist University in 1999. He began his 35 year career in the alcohol beverage industry as the wine manager of A&A Liquor Stores in Dallas. He was sales manager of American Wine & Importing Company from 1977 to 1992, when he joined Glazer’s as products manager. James served as Glazer’s Distributors corporate director of wines from 1995 to 2003 before being named Vice President of Domaines & Estates in 2003.
	Ken Dennis, CSW/CWE Texas State Senior Account Manager Ken Dennis is responsible for a team of State Chain Account Managers that call on the corporate offices of National and Regional Grocery, Club and Convenience Chains. His team works closely with both our Buyers and Suppliers to make sure that Glazer’s and our Supplier Partners are represented with the highest possible standards. Ken is a big believer in the fact that wine knowledge plays a key part in being an effective consultant for our retail customers. He is one of only 8 people from within the State of Texas to have attained their Certified Wine Educator (CWE) designation from the Society of Wine Educators. In addition, he is also a Certified Specialist of Wine (CSW) and a Certified Spanish Wine Educator. Ken is a Business School graduate of Florida State University with a degree in Marketing. He has 17 years of career experience within the alcohol beverage industry in both Supplier and Wholesaler capacities. Prior to joining Glazer’s in early 2006, he was a Division Manager for the E&J Gallo Winery.
	Thomas Verner, Certified Wine Educator Regional Director of Training & Development Tom earned his Bachelor of Science degree in 1978 from the Cornell University School of Hotel Administration. In addition, he has earned the accreditation of Certified Wine Educator from the Society of Wine Educators and is recognized as a Certified Sommelier by the Court of Master Sommeliers. Tom is currently studying for the Advanced Sommelier Certificate. Tom has over 25 years industry experience, including owning the Cafe’ du Vin Restaurant which was awarded The Wine Spectator Award of Excellence for 3 consecutive years. Previously, Tom held management positions with Glazer’s including Director of Sales, On-Premise Wine and General Manager, Domaines & Estates. Tom has been with Glazer’s since 1995.
	Alfonso Cevola, CSW Italian Wine Director Alfonso Cevola is Glazer’s Italian Wine Director. He is the "ambassador" who translates the Italian experience (and its importance) and helps define, communicate and reinforce the Italian wine message, both inside the company and in the community. The third-generation Italian-American was born in a vineyard in California and raised in and around his grandfather’s vineyard, where he was first exposed to the grape and the vine. Living in Italy as a youth gave him the opportunity to work in his Italian relatives’ vineyards in the summer and during selected harvests. A graduate of Santa Clara University in Silicon Valley, he began his 30-year career in Southern California. He is a Certified Specialist in Wine and a Special Contributor to The Dallas Morning News and The Well Fed Network. His Wine Blog, On the Wine Trail in Italy (http://acevola.blogspot.com/) has become a just-in-time source for Italian wine and culture.
	Mary Ann Willis, CSW, CWE State Chain Account Manager Mary Ann Willis started her career with Glazer’s in 1992 as an on-premise wine sales representative in Dallas. She advanced quickly into management and has held District Sales Manager positions for both Classic Wine and Domaines & Estates; Product Marketing Manager for both Mustang and Cactus Sales Divisions; and served for a number of years as the Regional Director of Training over North & West Texas. Mary Ann is currently the State Chain Account Manager over the Central Market chain. She works with the corporate buyer and Glazer’s vendors selecting products for the over 2500 per store wine assortment. Mary Ann graduated with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing from Texas Tech University. She since has been awarded a Certified Specialist of Wine and is the first female in Texas and the second person in Glazer’s organization to hold the certification of Certified Wine Educator from the Society of Wine Educators. She has also just achieved the certification of Spanish Wine Educator. In her current position, Mary Ann is responsible for training all sales and managers in Dallas/Fort Worth, Abilene, Amarillo, El Paso, Longview, Odessa, San Angelo, and Waco. Her product knowledge spans wines, spirits, and malt beverages. She is also a college recruiter for Glazer’s at Texas Tech University and University of North Texas, where she occasionally guest lectures.
	Dan Katalinich, CWE Eastern Iowa On-Premise Manager Dan Katalinch is responsible for the Eastern Iowa On-Premise Sales Division, including sales and marketing execution as it pertains to wine, spirits, and malt beverage sales. In addition to these functions, Dan conducts education sessions for the entire Eastern Iowa sales group. He also successfully provides an outstanding level of customer service. In 2005, Dan earned his CSW and in 2006, he earned is CWE. Dan has worked for Glazer’s since 2002.
	Joel McKee, CWE District Sales Manager, Domaines and Estates-San Antonio Joel began his career with Glazer’s in October of 2002 as a Domaines and Estates on/off premise sales representative. Joel has succesfully completed the Certified Specialist of Wine (CSW) and Certified Wine Educator (CWE) exams from the Society of Wine Educators. Joel annually participates in the Texas Sommelier Competition/Conference and hopes to continue his wine education with the Court of Master Sommeliers in the future. His prior experience includes fine dinning restaurant service and fine wine retail sales.