MIAMI--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Mel Dick, President, Wine Division, and Senior Vice President, Southern Wine & Spirits of America, Inc. (Southern) — the nation’s leading wine and spirits distributor with operations in 35 states — announced today the acceptance of the African Leadership Magazine’s 2014 U.S.-Africa Business Leadership Award presented during the 1st Annual U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit in Washington, D.C. The award paid tribute to Southern’s dedication to distribution of indigenous South African wines from the land of the great Nelson Mandela.
Commenting on the honor, Dick said, “I’d like to thank Dr. Ken Giami of the African Leadership Magazine, Claude Roxborough, President of the South African Chamber of Commerce in America, and Aaron Manaigo of Global Political Solutions for nominating Southern for this honor. At Southern, we have represented South African wines for more than 25 years. As the leading wine and spirits distributor in the U.S., we’re honored to be recognized for our contribution to the South African wine industry.”
Claude W. Roxborough, President of the South African Chamber of Commerce in America, added, “Southern’s contribution to the indigenous South African wine industry has been an integral part of shaping the image and narrative for the South African wine industry in the U.S. As a distributor dedicated to South African wines, Southern has charted an impressive path to help improve the perception and knowledge of Africa, through the medium of wine. We are honored and excited to salute Southern for their contributions.”
The first annual U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit was held in Washington, D.C. earlier this month. Nearly 50 African heads of state attended the multi-day summit focused on trade, investment and enhancing U.S. diplomatic ties with the continent. A number of notable guests attended the Business Leadership Award ceremony, including President of South Africa Jacob Zuma and President of Tanzania Jakaya Kikwete.
About Southern Wine & Spirits of America, Inc.
Southern Wine & Spirits of America, Inc. is the nation’s largest wine and spirits distributor and broker with operations in 35 markets. The multi-state distributor currently operates in: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Florida, Kentucky, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Montana, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia and Wyoming. Southern also holds operating licenses and permits in Nebraska and Texas. On a national basis, Southern Wine & Spirits of America, Inc. employs more than 14,000 team members. Southern urges all retail customers and adult consumers to market, sell, serve and enjoy its products responsibly. For more information about Southern and its responsible consumption program, see: http://www.southernwine.com.
