Sue McCollum, who has been chief executive of Major Brands, the Missouri distributor for a decade, is the last member of the Epsten family to lead the company, which was founded in St. Joseph, Mo., but Joseph “Kewpie” Epsten after Prohibition in 1933.
The company expanded from St. Joe into Kansas City, Missouri, in the 1950’s under Kewpie’s son Bobby Epsten. The Epsten family expanded their business statewide in the late 1980s, adding facilities in St. Louis, Cape Girardeau, Springfield and Columbia. Under Kewpie’s grandson Todd Epsten’s third-generation leadership, the company grew to be the largest distributor in the state.
In 2012, following Todd Epsten’s death, his wife and partner Sue McCollum became Major
Brands’ CEO. McCollum fought a series of high-profile battles to keep the company intact and to retain family ownership, prevailing in several high-stakes legislative and legal challenges that threatened the company’s survival, while outperforming in a dynamic, competitive marketplace.
To stabilize the business, she led the strategic acquisition of two smaller Missouri distributors, Garco Wine Co. and Missouri Beverage Co. in 2014. As a result of the Missouri Beverage acquisition, McCollum entered a near decade-long partnership with the Wirtz family, which, like the Epstens, has a long history in the wine and spirits distribution industry. In January 2022, Breakthru Beverage Group, in which the Wirtz family has ownership, announced that it would be acquiring Major Brands, with closing to occur in early spring.
The leadership transition will have no impact on day-to-day management or operations. The local Missouri leadership and sales organization are expected to continue.
“It is hard to overstate the impact Sue McCollum has had on Major Brands and the industry,” said Danny Wirtz, Breakthru Beverage Group Vice Chairman and immediate past Chairman of Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America. “Sue has successfully led Major Brands for more than a decade while also finding creative ways to give back to the community and elevate and empower women in the industry. I know I am not alone when I say her legacy – and that of the Epsten family and Major Brands – will be lasting.”