December 6/Cincinnati/Food & Beverage Close-Up -- German brewer Warsteiner, manufacturer of the international beer brand Warsteiner, has announced that Donald Lake, an industry leader with experience developing craft, import and domestic brands, has been appointed president of Warsteiner Importer's Agency (WIA), the brewery's U.S.-based operations in Cincinnati.

"We're proud to welcome Don to the Warsteiner family," said Marc Bueker, director of Sales and Marketing for Warsteiner International. "His strong knowledge and diversified background in the business will bring a fresh perspective to the brand. With Lake at the helm, we are well-positioned to focus on our key initiatives, and we look forward to maximizing our growth opportunities in the U.S."

In a release, the company said that as president of WIA, Lake will be responsible for managing U.S. business, driving Warsteiner revenue and continuing to expand Warsteiner's footprint in the American market. Prior to this appointment, Lake was a beverage industry consultant at The Beverage Consulting Group and national director of sales at The Gambrinus Company, which imported the Modelo and Moosehead portfolios as well as brews the Shiner, Bridgeport and Trumer brands.

From the December 20, 2010, Prepared Foods E-dition