Duckhorn Portfolio chairman, CEO Alex Ryan retires

The Duckhorn Portfolio announced that Alex Ryan is retiring from his role as President, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the company. The Duckhorn Board of Directors has appointed Deirdre Mahlan, a veteran of the alcohol and beverage industry, as interim President, Chief Executive Officer and Chairperson, and has initiated a search for a new leader. “Alex dedicated his professional life to growing our business, and he has now decided to step away to focus on family and personal matters, and offered to be available to the company to ensure a smooth transition,” said Duckhorn independent director, Michelle Gloeckler, who will chair the CEO search committee. “We are grateful for Alex’s 35 years of dedicated service to the company and wish him the very best. At the same time, we’re committed to finding a leader who has the skills and vision to keep Duckhorn on its successful trajectory as North America’s premier luxury wine company. The success of The Duckhorn Portfolio has always been the result of the collaborative efforts of our amazing team and our unwavering commitment to producing the highest quality wines. Through her experience as a member of our Board, Deirdre understands and embraces these values. She is also a strong leader and an innovative strategic thinker with extensive industry expertise, and a broad skill set that includes analytics, financials, strategy and planning.”