Our Portfolio

Marshall Watson is the Executive Chairman & Managing Member of WES Brands, a company that develops, markets, and sells innovative brands in the beverage alcohol category. WES is a leader in pairing high-potential spirits brands in expanding categories with celebrity partners to drive awareness. The WES portfolio currently includes BSB Flavored Whiskey, in partnership with Jamie Foxx, and Flecha Azul Tequila, in partnership with Mark Wahlberg. Later this year, WES will launch three additional spirits brands with best-in-class celebrity partners to accelerate growth and awareness. WES Brands was formed after Mr. Watson led the transaction, pursuant to which an investor group acquired Aviation Gin in partnership with actor Ryan Reynolds. In that transaction, Mr. Reynolds acquired an equity stake in the brand and agreed to serve as its Creative Director. Diageo, the world’s largest spirits supplier, agreed to acquire Aviation Gin in 2020.

Previously, Mr. Watson was the President of Direct Holdings Global, LLC (“DHG”), a whollyowned subsidiary of dick clark productions, and a Principal at Mosaic Media Investment Partners (“MMIP”). DHG, a direct-to-consumer marketing and sales company, is best-known for its iconic “Time Life” infomercials featuring compilation collections of classic television, comedy, and music. DHG’s lifestyle products division developed, marketed, and sold kitchen and outdoor products such as the American Bad Ass Grill in partnership with musician Kid Rock, financial planning products such as Financial Security Now with Suze Orman, and Brain Fit Today, a memory improvement system developed in partnership with renowned psychiatrist and brain scientist Dr. Daniel Amen. DHG’s live entertainment division, StarVista Live, produces nearly a dozen music-themed cruises and land-based events ranging from The Soul Train Cruise and The Southern Rock Cruise to Abbey 
Road on the River, a prominent North American Beatles festival. As a Principal at MMIP, Mr. Watson managed the initial acquisition of DHG from Reader’s Digest 
in 2012, as well as the sale of DHG to dick clark productions in 2014. In addition, Mr. Watson managed all MMIP non-control investments in sports, e-sports, gaming, media, and technology.

Mr. Watson began his career as an M&A and private equity lawyer at the global law firm of 
Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP, where he represented clients such as One Equity Partners (the private equity arm of JP Morgan), Odyssey Investment Partners, Leonard Green & Partners, and 
Investcorp.

Mr. Watson holds B.A. and J.D. degrees from the University of Southern California, and served as a law clerk to the Honorable Robert J. Timlin, U.S. District Court, Central District, Eastern Division.

David Edwab is a seasoned entrepreneurial executive with deep financial and operational experience. He served as an executive, director, or advisor to numerous public and private companies in various sectors, including Men’s Wearhouse, Joseph Abboud, Joseph A. Banks, Aeropostale, Seven For All Mankind, Trans American Auto Parts, Stewart Weitzman, Vitamin Shoppe, Dimensions and Alexandra UK, Moores Retail Group Canada, New York and Company, Mr. Edwab was the principal partner in the formation of Aviation American Gin LLC, and BSB Brown Sugar Bourbon LLC.

Sheldon “Shelly” Stein serves as President of Southern Glazer’s. Previously, he served as President and CEO of Glazer’s. Before beginning his tenure with Glazer’s in 2010, Stein had been a Vice Chairman of Global Investment Banking at Bank of America Merrill Lynch since March 2008. In this role, he served as Glazer’s lead advisor and had worked closely with the Glazer Family and executive team as well as its suppliers on many strategic fronts.

Jim has over 35 years of experience in the beverage alcohol industry and is the retired COO and Executive VP (1994-2010) of Brown-Forman, one of the world’s top ten wine and spirits companies headquartered in Louisville, Kentucky.   Prior to joining Brown-Forman, he was Executive VP of Sales and Marketing of Seagram Classics Wine Company in New York and California (1984-1994). 

Rudy has twenty years of experience in the beverage alcohol industry, most recently serving as CEO of Stoli Group, a position he held since May of 2018.  Before joining Stoli Group Rudy spent ten years at Heaven Hill where he held several senior level positions across both finance and sales. Those included Finance Director the the East Region, VP sales for the NY Division, VP, sales for the Florida division, Regional VP for the East Region, and VP, General Manager for the SGWS Region. 

Chester Brandes is a spirits industry veteran with 40 years of experience in both the US domestic and international markets; he has consistently brought passion, creativity and unparalleled commitment to each of his successful business ventures.   Since the sale of Bulldog Gin to Davide Campari S.p.A.in March 2017, Brandes has been doing consulting as well as investing in a number of start-ups in the beverage industry.  

Brandon Weaver is a Global Marketing Executive with experience at Diageo, Carlyle Group, LVMH, UBS and General Electric. Currently General Manager for Sonder, a late stage VC backed tech-enabled travel company reimaging hospitality for the modern traveler.   Served as GM & CMO of Stillhouse Spirits, a subsidiary of Bacardi USA, awarded for its cutting-edge packaging and design. Formerly the CMO & COO of Bonotel Exclusive Travel, a Carlyle-backed $300mn luxury hospitality provider sold to Travel Leaders Group in 2017.