the drinks association Board

the drinks association board is made up of 27 engaged and pro-active Directors.  Each Board Member completes a comprehensive induction programme.  the drinks association Board recently transitioned from an operational board to a strategic board, leading the association into the future.

To view the Board structure please click the link below:

To view the constitution please click the link below:

Ralph Dunning - Chair

Ralph Dunning

Commenced: 28 November 1996
Title: Independent Director

Ralph Dunning has spent more than thirty-five years working in the Australian wine industry representing wineries from across Australia and across the globe. He is a widely respected top-level wine executive who, for more than 27 years, at different times, headed both the Sales and Marketing divisions of the Yalumba Wine Company. He has been the Treasurer of the Wine Communicators of Australia, a consultant to the wine industry in general, founding partner of Byron & Harold Wines as well as currently serving as the Executive Officer of Australia’s First Families of Wine – a cohort of 12 of Australia’s most successful and respected family wine businesses. Ralph is passionate about wine and the liquor industry at large and for twenty-two years has been an active and enthusiastic board member of the drinks association of Australia – serving for the last fourteen years as Chair of the Board.

Michael Ritoli - Deputy Chair

Michael Ritoli

Commenced: 18 April 2012
Company: Asahi Premium Beverages Pty Ltd
Company Title: General Manager Sales

Michael has spent many years in the industry at CUB and CCA. Michael is General Manager Sales at Asahi Premium Beverages and has been in this role since 2012.

Michelle Pelizzari - Executive Director

Michelle Pelizzari

Commenced: 10 May 2017
Company: Lion Beer Australia
Company Title: Customer Director CLG

Michelle has extensive liquor industry experience, having held various leadership positions in Account Management and Field Sales during her 12 years at Lion. Prior to this, Michelle spent 13 years working across the retail, sales and marketing divisions of Coles Liquor. Known as a natural go-to person, Michelle has an impressive ability to build outstanding business relationships and is highly respected by industry peers and team members alike.

Mark Churi - Executive Director

Mark Churi

Commenced: 20 May 2013
Company: Casella Family Brands
Company Title: General Manager - Sales

A seasoned sales professional, Mark holds extensive experience in senior leadership roles across both large and medium size wine businesses. Mark has steered the premiumisation of the Casella Family Brands portfolio since early 2013 with drive and enthusiasm. He is committed to building strong business relationships and delivering exceptional results.

Tim Gilberd - Treasurer

Tim Gilberd

Commenced: 28 November 2013
Company: Lion Beer Australia
Company Title: Sales Strategy & Services Director

As the Sales Strategy & Services Director, Tim is responsible for sales strategy function across the Lion beer and cider business, as well as the national contact centre and customer support and national operations teams.

Jeff McKenzie - Executive Director

Jeff McKenzie

Commenced: 16 February 2016
Company: Pernod Ricard Australia
Company Title: Sales Director

Jeff has worked for Pernod Ricard in various commercial roles for 13 years, with experience in customer management, operation and strategy roles. In 2016, Jeff took on the role of Commercial Director at Pernod Ricard Australia, moving from the position of National Business Manager – Endeavour Drinks Group prior to that. Jeff has a Post Graduate degree in Human Resource Management and has a passion for Leadership and cultural development. He is also a councillor on the Diversity and Inclusion Council.

Warwick Brook

Warwick Brook

Commenced: 4 May 2016
Company: De Bortoli Wines
Company Title: NSW/ACT State Manager

Warwick Brook has worked for De Bortoli Wines for over 20 years, holding various positions during his tenure. His dedication to the business has seen Warwick help shape a family business into one of Australia's leading wine companies. Along the journey he has been responsible for Key Accounts, National Key Accounts and the Major Chains. He presently holds the position of NSW/ ACT State Manager, which he has done since 2002.

Shane Bulluss

Shane Bulluss

Commenced: 8 February 2016
Company: Brown Family Wine Group
Company Title: General Manager, National Sales

At Brown Brothers, Shane holds the position of General Manager, National Sales. Shane has extensive experience in the industry, having worked at Diageo, Constellation Brands and Treasury Wine Estates.

Paul Morris

Commenced: 08 November 2019
Company: Bacardi-Martini Australia Pty Ltd
Company Title: Logistics & Supply Director

Paul Morris joined Bacardi in 2001, and is currently the Logistics & Supply Director for Bacardi-Martini Australia. With 35 years of experience in Operations, he has worked in Liquor, Telecommunications and FMCG.

Sally Byrne

Sally Byrne

Commenced: October 2019
Company: Coca-Cola Amatil
Company Title: Marketing Manager - Alcohol & Coffee

Sally is an accomplished senior leader with over 20 years experience in blue chip multi-national organisations in strategy, consumer marketing, innovation, digital, media and sales. Sally has worked in top tier companies on globally iconic brands such as Smirnoff Vodka, Guinness, Coca Cola and Campari.

Andrew Clarke

Andrew Clarke

Commenced: 14 February 2017
Company: Diageo
Company Title: Commercial Director

Andrew joined the drinks industry and Diageo Australia as Commercial Director at the start of 2017 and has 30 years’ FMCG experience in Sales and Managing Director positions: In companies such as Mars, Arnott’s, Inghams and now Diageo, and across multiple countries including the UK, New Zealand, the US, and Australia.

Simon Durrant

Simon Durrant

Commenced: 7 August 2018
Company: Campari Australia Pty Ltd
Company Title: Commercial Director

Simon joined Campari Australia as Managing Director in July 2018 and has almost 30 years’ experience in FMCG across Europe, Africa and Australia. Simon joined Campari from Clorox Australia where he was the General Manager, prior to this he held senior sales and capability roles with Accolade Wines, Diageo and Nestle.

Scott Burton

Commenced: 14 November 2019
Company: Australian Vintage Ltd
Company Title: General Manager Marketing

General Manager Marketing, Scott Burton has 20 years’ experience in the global wine industry, having worked for – and consulted to – some of the world’s largest wine companies, retailers and generic marketing associations. WSET certified, Burton joined the Australian Vintage team as head of marketing in 2011.

Alastair Miller

Alastair Miller

Commenced: 29 October 2015
Company: Accolade Wines
Company Title: Commercial Finance Director - ANZP

In 2015, Alastair joined Accolade Wines as Commercial Finance Director, APAC having gained much experience from his time at Coca-Cola Amatil in various roles.

Paul Midolo

Paul Midolo

Commenced: 7 September 2018
Company: The Yalumba Wine Company
Company Title: Director Strategy & Trading – Samuel Smith & Son

A 30-year veteran of the industry, Paul has been with Samuel Smith & Son for more than 20 years. Joining the Company in 1995, Paul moved into management in 1996, working in either Sales or State Manager roles in all states. He was appointed General Manager Sales for Samuel Smith & Son in 2012, before assuming his current role in 2014.

Sarah Parkes

Sarah Parkes

Commenced: January 2018
Company: Treasury Wine Estate
Company Title: Director - Independents and Field Sales

Sarah Parkes has over 20 years’ experience across both, the liquor and grocery industries, covering a wide range of roles from front line selling, sales capability, account management and more recently leading large sales teams. Sarah currently heads up the Independent Channel and Field teams at Treasury Wine Estates, focused on bringing customer plans to life in store. Sarah joined TWE in late 2017, after 8 years at PepsiCo as Sales Director Impulse and 9 years at Diageo across both the UK and Australian business. Originally from New Zealand, Sarah has worked across Japan, UK and now Australia.

Cam Pearce

Cam Pearce

Commenced: 5 June 2014
Company: Coopers Brewery
Company Title: Director - Independents and Field Sales

Cam Pearce has been on the Coopers Board since 2002. He started his career in Shell Australia in sales and marketing roles in Adelaide, Melbourne and Port Moresby PNG. He was also CEO at Meals on Wheels (SA) Inc. for ten years.

Mark Rowe

Mark Rowe

Company: 100Proof
Company Title: Director

Kristy Ryan

Kristy Ryan

Commenced: 18 October 2018
Company: William Grant & Sons Australia Pty Ltd
Company Title: Head of Sales

Kristy entered the liquor industry in 2008, joining William Grant & Sons when the Australian subsidiary was formed in 2010. Since that time Kristy has held various positions across the domestic and international markets, working with a multitude of local and global customers.

Mitchell Taylor

Mitchell Taylor

Commenced: 30 November 2006
Company: Taylors Wines
Company Title: Managing Director

Mitchell Taylor is third generation Managing Director and winemaker for Clare Valley winery, Taylors Wines. Mitchell followed in the footsteps of his father Bill Taylor and grandfather Bill Taylor Snr., starting with the company in 1988 and later becoming the Managing Director in 2000. Mitchell currently oversees all aspects of the business. As an experienced winemaker, Mitchell maintains a very hands-on role at the winery, supervising all winemaking activities to ensure the quality and consistency of all Taylors wine is maintained. His commitment to the Australian wine industry extends to involvement in key industry associations, including his role as a founding and current director of Australia’s First Families of Wine (AFFW), Director and Vice President of the Winemakers’ Federation of Australia (WFA), Chairman of the National Wine Foundation (NWF), and recently appointed board member of Wine Australia. Mitchell and his wife Adrienne currently reside in Sydney with three delightful children; twin girls, Lara and Margaux, and a son, Hugh.

Darren West

Darren West

Commenced: 6 July 2018
Company: Brown-Forman
Company Title: Marketing Director

Darren has over 30 years’ experience both in Australia and overseas across different sectors of the alcohol industry. Within the supplier side Darren has held a multitude of management and leadership roles spanning sales, insights, trade marketing, innovation and marketing. Darren is currently Marketing Director for Australia and New Zealand at Brown-Forman.

Rose Scott

Commenced: February 2019
Company: Carlton & United Breweries
Company Title: VP Sales, Australia and New Zealand

Rose Scott is Vice President of Sales for CUB. Rose has many years of experience in sales and marketing in the food and beverage industry, particularly within the alcohol sector. Before joining CUB as VP of Sales AUS/NZ Rose was with Endeavour Drinks Group where she held various roles including CEO of Summergate Fine Wines, based in Shanghai, China, General Manager of Merch and Marketing and Head of Category Strategy. Rose has a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Canterbury.

Ivor MacDonald

Commenced: March 2019
Company: McWilliam's Wines Group Ltd
Company Title: Head of Domestic Markets

Ivor MacDonald has over 25 years liquor experience across retail operations, account management, strategy and sales leadership. Ivor joined McWilliam’s Wines Group in August 2018 as Head of Domestic Markets, responsible for sales across all channels in Australia and New Zealand. Prior to joining McWilliam’s Ivor spent 17 years in various roles at Lion. Ivor’s experience to date has seen sales achievements across multiple categories, channels and geographies.