Dave Meadors

By .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Friday - September 21, 2011 Share

E-mail this story | Print this page | Comments (0) | Archive | RSS

Del.icio.us |

Podcast | WineAndDineHawaii.com

Occupation: State Manager, Hawaii and Alaska, for Beam Inc.

Where were you born and raised? Compton, Calif.

What drew you to the beverage industry? I started in sales of office furniture and printing I had my own printing business and in looking for a different career, I believed the liquor industry had a lot to offer. I started off with Southern Wine and Spirits as a sales rep and went from there.

Most people seem to take to the industry right away. Did you? I did. I liked the face-to-face interaction with people, and I saw the possibilities and potential. It’s hard though, in the beginning.

Now you manage one of America’s iconic brands, Jim Beam. Yeah, I’m really fortunate. I got to know the Jim Beam portfolio through working for Southern Wines in California, and then I worked for a while for Allied Domecq. Eventually there was a need for someone to come to Hawaii and I’ve been here ever since.

What’s your favorite drink? I’m a big bourbon fan, of course, but here in Hawaii I’d say my favorite drink is definitely Hornitos Plata with a twist of lime; it’s 100 percent double distilled blue agave tequila. Really refreshing.

Favorite places to eat and drink? Chart House, for sure I’ve loved that place ever since I first walked in the door. And Tiki’s Grill in Waikiki, both for the atmosphere, the people and the food, and I enjoy going to Murphy’s.

Do you cook at home? We have a 4-year-old, so we don’t do as much of anything right now! I’m sure we’ll get back to it when he gets older. What’s always in your fridge? Fresh fruits and vegetables, but not really any alcohol. When liquor is your business, you don’t really drink at home. With whom would you most like to have dinner? Has to be my wife Jennifer. I really enjoy the time we spend together, especially now that time is a premium. And I’m a big baseball fan, so Tommy Lasorda. Anything about you that might surprise us? I was a newspaper photographer for a while.

Any memorable shots? I took a picture of a kid who had been shot in the chest by police while playing a kind of paintball game with fake guns at park. I was with the Southeast News in Downey, Calif,, and a journalist and I snuck into the hospital and he let us take a photo of his wound. It ran front page the next day.