Ben E. Keith
Jason Bush
Ben E. Keith Beverages announced senior leadership changes on Wednesday.
The Beverage Division is elevating Jason Bush to vice president of marketing and legislative affairs and Philip Ward to vice president of sales and branch management.
“Jason is an enthusiastic and effective leader. He has a sharp attention to detail and is very passionate about everything he does,” Flint Prewitt, company president, said in a statement. “Philip operates at a high level and excels in every role. He brings a practical and balanced approach to the business while always inspiring those around him. I anticipate great results from the fresh perspective each of them brings to these positions.”
Bush will be responsible for marketing initiatives, sponsorships, communications, and political affairs, according to a press release. In 31 years with the company, Bush has worked across multiple branches, according to the company, including the past 15 as general manager of the Dallas branch.
“Marketing the brands in the Ben E. Keith portfolio has always been a passion and he has also been a key contributing member of the Beverage Division's legislative team, meeting with national and state representatives on industry issues,” according to the company, noting that in Dallas he oversaw annual sales of more than 11 million-case equivalents to more than 4,000 retailers.
Ward will be responsible for increasing sales revenue through strategic partnerships with all supplier partners and Ben E. Keith sales teams, according to the company.
Ward has more than 20 years of experience at Ben E. Keith, getting his start in the warehouse as part of the company manager-in-training program and ascending the ranks through multiple positions in sales and management.
Most recently, he has led the Fort Worth Branch as general manager for the last five years.
Ben E. Keith
Philip Ward
Ben E. Keith founded the company in 1906. The end of Prohibition in 1933 was a new opportunity.
“Beer is back!” screamed an Anheuser-Busch newspaper ad in 1933 as Prohibition had been repealed. The company to distribute in this region: Ben E. Keith.
“To cheer, to quicken American life with hospitality of old, the friendly glass of good fellowship is back,” read a newspaper ad.
Ben E. Keith, a native son, was more than that, though. His leadership in civic affairs helped land Camp Bowie — “due largely to the activity of Mr. Keith and his associates” — and in WWII he was federal transportation coordinator for the city.
“His other interests were varied and manifold,” read the Fort Worth Star-Telegram upon his death in 1959. “Fort Worth has been fortunate, indeed, to have had a native son of his caliber and worth.”
Today, Ben E. Keith Company's Beverage division is the third-largest independent beer wholesaler in the country. With 14 sales and distribution centers the company operates throughout the state of Texas and distributes import beers, craft beers, seltzers, spirits, wine products, and nonalcoholic beverages.
Jeff Stillwell and Derek Gonzales, Dallas and Fort Worth assistant general managers, will succeed Bush and Ward, respectively, as the new branch general managers.
As general managers, the two, like Bush and Ward before them, will manage sales, service, and warehouse operations, leading more than 700 team members combined.
“I am excited to have the opportunity to work with each branch around the beverage division and all the great people employed at Ben E. Keith,” Ward said. “Our employees have been, and continue to be, the foundation of the company since 1906, and I am honored to have the opportunity to contribute to that legacy into the future.”