SEATTLE — Steve Gress has been named executive vice-president of U.S. sales for the Jones Soda Co. In his new role, he will be responsible for building Jones Soda’s new Lemoncocco brand in the United States and expanding the company’s cane sugar soda throughout the craft soda industry.
Lemoncocco is Jones Soda’s latest launch; the company has been slowly rolling the product out since it debuted in January 2016. Inspired by a popular refresher found in Rome, the premium, noncarbonated blended beverage is flavored with extracts of Sicilian lemons and coconut cream with a hint of cane sugar.
Mr. Gress began his beverage career as a route operator for Big Geyser, a role he held for 15 years. He played a key role in building the Vitamin Water brand in New York City, Jones Soda said. In 2005, Mr. Gress opened his own distribution company, Exclusive Distribution, where he was president and chief executive officer. There, he obtained the rights to VitaCoco, which moved to Dr Pepper Snapple Group in 2011. In 2015, Mr. Gress became executive vice-president of New England Beverages, where he targeted the Lemoncocco brand for distribution in New York City.
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| Jennifer Cue, c.e.o. of Jones Soda Co. |
