Blakes Beverage Co. in Armada has appointed Amanda Gleason as chief sales officer, a newly established role designed to unify and accelerate sales strategy across Blake’s rapidly expanding national portfolio.
In her new role, Gleason will oversee a unified national sales strategy spanning the company’s three brand families: Blake’s Hard Cider, Austin Eastciders, and Avid Cider Co. A key priority for Gleason will be expanding the company’s distributor footprint and strengthening route-to-market execution nationwide. Blake’s Beverage Co. currently works with more than 240 distributors across 44 states and continues to identify strategic opportunities to grow share and visibility in priority and white-space markets.
“Blake’s Beverage Co. is entering its next era of growth with a sharpened focus on national expansion, portfolio development and channel innovation,” says Andrew Blake, founder and CEO of Blake’s Beverage Co. “Amanda brings exactly the kind of commercial leadership and growth mindset we need as we continue scaling Blake’s Beverage Co. nationally.
“She understands how to build momentum across complex portfolios, strengthen distributor partnerships and unlock growth in evolving beverage channels. Just as importantly, she shares our belief that brands win when they stay authentic, consumer-focused and relentlessly innovative.”
In addition to leading national sales operations, Gleason will architect the company’s total portfolio strategy, helping position its premium, value, regional and innovation-driven offerings to drive deeper penetration across underdeveloped channels, particularly in convenience, where the company sees significant long-term opportunity across multiple price tiers and occasions.
By capitalizing on emerging beverage platforms, Blake’s is well-positioned for continued growth. These platforms include Blake’s Zero Proof, the company’s fast-growing non-alcoholic line crafted for modern drinking occasions, and Giddy Up, its recently launched spirit-forward punch brand designed to meet rising demand for bold, flavor-driven RTD experiences. The company is also preparing for the summer 2026 launch of Shore Thing.
“Blake’s Beverage Co. has built a portfolio with real authenticity, strong consumer appeal, and significant runway for growth,” says Gleason. “I was drawn to the company’s entrepreneurial spirit, its willingness to think differently, and the opportunity to help scale the business nationally through strong distributor partnerships and disciplined execution in the market.”
Gleason also will lead a comprehensive assessment of the company’s distribution network with an eye to strengthening distributor alignment and improving velocity in high-priority markets as Blake’s Beverage Co. continues its rapid national growth trajectory.
Gleason joins Blake’s from Constellation Brands, where she served as senior vice president leading commercial performance across a 15-state footprint.
