Stoli Group appoints new chief executive

Spirits giant Stoli Group has announced a leadership reshuffle, promoting its chief financial officer Chris Caldwell as the new global chief executive.

He replaces Damian McKinney, who has been serving in the role since October 2020. Stoli Group did not give the reason for departure in its statement announcing the new appointments.

The global ultra-premium spirits and wines company has appointed Artem Pozdnyakov, who has been serving as the group’s global financial controller, as the new chief financial officer, and brought in Mark Federighi as president, North America.

“As an integral member of the Stoli Group executive team, Chris has proven time and again that he has the strategic & financial acumen, as well as the leadership skills needed in today’s CEO,” commented Yuri Shefler, Stoli founder and owner.

“Ensuring continuity of leadership, Chris and Artem, will play pivotal roles as we look to further diversify through acquisitions and brand expansion. We are beyond thrilled that Mark will be joining them in support of our aggressive growth goals,” he added.

Caldwell brings a wealth of experience to the position, having held various leadership roles in private equity, PLC, co-operative and consulting businesses across the globe. Prior to joining Stoli he drove the turnaround of the PE-backed Enotria & Coe, the UK's premium wine and spirits supplier, from loss making to profitability and refinanced the business. Previously he held senior positions in Americana Foods, Fonterra Co-Operative Group and Diageo as well as a stint running his own consulting business which focussed on transformation projects.

“The past few years at Stoli Group have been incredibly rewarding, and I am immensely proud of the value that I created as CFO,” commented Caldwell. “I am honoured to work alongside Artem, Mark and the rest of the leadership team as we begin a new journey of innovation and expansion for Stoli Group. We are ready to hit the ground running.”

Pozdnyakov joined Stoli Group in 2022 from DTEK Renewables International where he served as CFO, as well as board member of several Dutch holding companies. He has deep domain expertise in the management of liquidity and markets, as well as acting as liaison to credit and banking institutions.

A bottom-line results-oriented leader, Federighi will head Stoli Group’s newly aligned North American sales, marketing, and operations executives. In his previous role at O’Neill Vintners and Distillers, the tenth largest US winery, Federighi filled the mission critical position of chief sales officer. He was instrumental in growing the topline revenue more than tenfold in his seven years there.

Previously, while at Young’s Market Company, Federighi led the strategic accounts group in Northern California. Prior to that, he led the PepsiCo DSD business for supermarket chain Safeway nationally. Earlier in his career, he held key roles at Campari America and Diageo after spending his first 10 years in the business at the E&J Gallo Winery.

Renowned for its flagship brand, Stoli Vodka, the group’s spirits portfolio includes elit Vodka, Bayou Rum, Kentucky Owl, Villa One, Gator Bite Rum Liqueurs, Cenote Tequila, Tulchan Gin, and Se Busca Mezcal.