Michigan’s Largest Winery Appoints New Chief Financial Officer
Paw Paw, MI - St. Julian Winery & Distillery, Michigan’s largest and longest-operating winery, promotes Russell Lauderdale to Chief Financial Officer.
Lauderdale brings extensive experience in manufacturing and development industries to the executive leadership team. With a bachelor’s degree in accounting and finance from Western Michigan University, his background includes various roles related to cost accounting, purchasing and integrated supply chain. He previously held the director of finance role at the winery.
“St. Julian is an amazing organization with so many talented and hard-working individuals who are all very passionate about the industry. I am proud to work in the same community in which I live with my family and look forward to the continued success and growth of this amazing group of people,” explains Lauderdale.
Lauderdale fills the role previously held by Sarah Braganini. Braganini will continue working closely with the administrative and management teams in her new role in corporate governance and purchasing.
“Having been fortunate to sit in a variety of roles throughout the last few years, I have witnessed tremendous growth from additional tasting rooms, wine club growth, capital improvements, and distribution expansion. The entire staff is engaged, passionate and dedicated to the growth and success of St. Julian, and Russell is no exception. He brings years of experience in manufacturing, accounting and supply chain management that further adds to strength of the company all while balancing being a dedicated family man. He rounds out an amazing administrative and executive leadership team at the winery,” Braganini explains.
The family-owned St. Julian, Michigan’s longest-operating winery, was founded in 1921. In addition to its winery in downtown Paw Paw—where they produce award-winning wines, sparkling juices, spirits, and cider—St. Julian operates tasting rooms in Dundee, Frankenmuth, Paw Paw, Troy, Rockford, and Union Pier.
About St. Julian Winery & Distillery
St. Julian Winery & Distillery is Michigan’s largest and longest-operating winery and has been family-owned since its founding in 1921. In addition to the winery in downtown Paw Paw where they produce hundreds of award-winning wines, sparkling juices, spirits and hard cider, St. Julian Winery & Distillery also offers tasting rooms in Dundee, Frankenmuth, Rockford, Troy and Union Pier and distributes to thousands of retail partners throughout the Midwest.