Press Release: Latis Imports Hires Restaurant & Beer Industry Pro, Matt Petrash
Matt Petrash, restaurant industry veteran and recent Mesa Distributing Company manager, has joined Latis Imports as retail brand development manager.
Latis Imports, a new specialty craft beer importer formed in September 2007 by David van Wees and Anthony Giardina, hired Petrash for his extensive restaurant industry knowledge. Most recently Petrash was the Brand Development Manager for Mesa Distributing Company working on the Heineken Premium Light business and Latis Imports launch of PALM Ale. Petrash was instrumental in launching PALM in more than 25 restaurant hot spots in San Diego before joining Latis Imports as one of its first employees. Petrash will focus on building the PALM Ale brand in Southern California.
“Matt Petrash has been a valuable player in our business before he started working for us so it makes perfect sense that we brought him in-house,” says van Wees, co-founder and CEO of Latis Imports. “The launch of PALM Ale is focused around building its awareness on-premise and Matt helped deliver us the top restaurants in San Diego.”
Prior to joining Mesa Distributing Company and Latis Imports, Matt Petrash was area supervisor for Legoland California and was responsible for the implementation of park-wide menus and recipes. He was also assistant general manager for Chevys Mexican Restaurant, Boston Market and general manager for Ruby’s Diner in Oceanside, CA.
About Latis:
A collective 25 years of experience in the U.S. and global markets leading brands like Rolling Rock, Labatt Blue, Beck’s, Bass, Stella Artois and Hoegaarden drove van Wees and Giardina to create a company that mirrored their passion for developing premium beer brands. And so the idea for Latis was born and given life in Connecticut’s diners and well-equipped, free wireless public libraries. At the heart of Latis is a mission to build a portfolio of authentic, craft beers from independent brewers with rich history, traditions and pride. Latis is named after the Celtic goddess of beer and water. The company is headquartered in Ridgefield, CT. For more information www.palmbreweries.com.
