Johnson Brothers, a leading distributor of wine, beer, and spirits, announces two leadership promotions effective January 1, 2025. AJ Atta has been named President of the West Region, overseeing operations in Minnesota, Hawaii, Iowa, Nebraska, Nevada, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wisconsin. Scott Cash has been appointed President of the East Region, managing operations in Florida, Indiana, North Carolina, Rhode Island, Virginia, and West Virginia, along with the United Johnson Brothers partnership in Alabama/Mississippi.

Atta, who joined Johnson Brothers in 2016, has been a key driver of growth through strategic partnerships and innovation, previously serving as Executive Vice President and General Manager of Minnesota. “AJ’s leadership has been essential to our success, and we’re excited for him to take on this expanded role,” said George Marsden, Chief Commercial Officer.

“I’m honored to take on this new role and continue building on the strong foundation we’ve created in the West,” said Atta. “Our teams consistently surpass expectations, and I’m eager to work alongside them as we drive growth and deliver value to our customers and suppliers.”

Cash, who joined during the 2018 acquisition of Mutual Distributing, has led significant growth in North Carolina and previously served as Vice President and General Manager. “Scott’s expertise will be vital as we continue to expand in the East,” said Marsden.

“I’m incredibly proud of our achievements in North Carolina and the strong relationships we’ve built with customers and suppliers,” said Cash. “I look forward to continuing that momentum across the East Region, focusing on delivering excellence and driving innovation.”

Both leaders will focus on driving growth, operational excellence, and strengthening supplier partnerships in their respective regions.

Johnson Brothers, a family-owned and operated distributor since 1953, is excited to announce the expansion of its partnership with Whitehall Lane Winery into the Nebraska market beginning October 1. This move adds to existing collaboration in Hawaii, Indiana, and North Carolina. The luxury division of Johnson Brothers, Oxford Street Merchants, will oversee management of the portfolio.

Whitehall Lane, a family-owned Napa Valley winery, is renowned for its exceptional hospitality and authentic wines, primarily crafted from Cabernet Sauvignon and other Bordeaux varietals. Since acquiring the winery in 1993, the Leonardini family has upheld traditional winemaking values while embracing innovation, sustainable practices, and diversity. Their commitment to modern technology, eco-friendly farming, and creative winemaking ensures a warm, approachable experience for wine lovers, preserving the winery’s legacy for future generations.

“Johnson Brothers shares our family-owned values and commitment to quality, making them the ideal partner to help us extend our reach in Nebraska,” said Tom Leonardini II, Proprietor and Vice President of Whitehall Lane Winery. “We look forward to sharing the distinctive character and tradition of Whitehall Lane wines with even more Nebraskans through this collaboration.”

“We are pleased to further our partnership with Whitehall Lane, a family-owned winery that shares our passion for quality and commitment to excellence,” said Yale Johnson, President of Sales for Johnson Brothers, who leads Oxford Street Merchants. “Together, we look forward to driving the business to new heights throughout the Cornhusker state.”

Johnson Brothers, a leading distributor of wine, beer, and spirits in the United States, today announced that Yale Johnson has been appointed to the role of President of Sales, effective immediately.

In his new position, Johnson will report directly to Mark Hubler, President & Chief Executive Officer of Johnson Brothers. He will lead all commercial activities, including developing strategic partnerships to drive long-term growth across the company’s 17-state footprint and overseeing the Supplier Performance and External Affairs teams. Johnson will also be responsible for guiding commercial operations, fostering key supplier relationships, and ensuring that sales objectives are achieved.

“We are thrilled to announce Yale Johnson as our new President of Sales,” said Hubler. “Yale’s leadership has been instrumental to our success over the years, and his deep understanding of our business, combined with his ability to cultivate strong relationships, makes him the ideal person to lead our commercial team. His passion for driving results and dedication to our company values will undoubtedly help us achieve new levels of success.”

As a third-generation member of the Johnson family, Yale has deep roots in the industry and has advanced through a series of key leadership roles. He began his career at Gallo before joining Johnson Brothers, where he has worked closely with teams nationwide to implement strategic initiatives and drive business growth. Most recently, he launched and led Oxford Street Merchants, Johnson Brothers’ luxury wine and spirits division, playing a pivotal role in expanding the company’s presence in the premium segment.

“I’m honored to step into this role and continue the legacy that my grandfather, Lynn Johnson, started over 70 years ago,” said Johnson. “Johnson Brothers has always been driven by a commitment to excellence, innovation, and unparalleled execution. I look forward to working with our talented teams to continue delivering exceptional value to our customers and supplier partners.”