Mel’s career is a unique blend of industry giants and smaller start-up companies: Marketing Manager for Labatt Importers, Region Sales Manager with RJR Nabisco Beverage Group, and BSN Gervais-Danone Kronenbourg, then his purchase of a small Anheuser-Busch distributorship. While with AB in Wisconsin, Coleman took consulting contracts with Age International (Ancient Age Distilling), and Germany’s Paulaner Gruppe. He sold his distributorship interest in 1987 to work with Germany’s Paulaner Brewery in forming a US subsidiary, Paulaner – North America. Under Mel’s management, PNA grew from case one to 1.6 million annual c/e’s. In early 2003, Heineken USA purchased PNA through its Brau-Holding International relationship in Europe. Using his 25- years of beverage experience, Mel then formed Distinguished Brands, importing specialty beers, wines, and spirits from Europe, the UK, and Ireland.

Mel has both undergraduate and graduate degrees from the University of Illinois; as well as continuing education at Harvard and the University of Chicago. He is honorably discharged from the United States Marine Corp., holds Associate Membership within both the National Beer Wholesalers Association and Wine & Spirits Wholesalers Association, is a retired Board Member of the National Football League’s Alumni Association, and serves as a volunteer for both Mt. Saint Vincent’s Home and Littleton Youth Hockey.