Our Team
Our team is trained both internationally and locally, so they understand your needs and the environment in which you do business.
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Brian Cameron
CEO / Managing Partner
(818) 879-3806
A 30 year industry veteran who has managed some of the biggest wine brands nationally: Trinchero, Robert Mondavi and Constellation Brands USA. Brian brings a lot of creativity and knowledge on navigating the three tier system and building brands in all channels. Brian has built strong relationships with the current national wholesalers, as well as both regional and grocery chains.
Michael Halsey
COO / Managing Partner
michaelhalsey@firststepbeverage.co
949-307-6784
ichael Halsey is Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer of First Step Beverage and Founder and CEO of TierSentry. With more than 25 years of executive leadership experience, including roles with Target, Best Buy, and KonaRed Beverages, Michael specializes in operations, supply chain, digital commerce, and commercial strategy. He has supported more than 40 beverage brands across retail, distribution, hospitality, cruise, and DTC channels. Through TierSentry, Michael helps regulated brands connect operational information across ecommerce, payments, fulfillment, distributors, and retailers to improve visibility, identify exceptions, and strengthen accountability.
Colin McPhee
SVP Corporate Accounts
(949)-702-3789
Colin McPhee has a degree from Cal Poly Pomona in Food Science and Agriculture and started working with First Step Beverage as he completed his degree program. He has had the pleasure of working with seasoned veterans and learning the National/Regional Channel and has worked his way up to SVP Corporate Accounts. Colin McPhee is based in Austin Texas and is responsible for networking the brands with all corporate accounts and beverage marketing agencies. We have strong ties with IMI, Patrick Henry, Backbar and many others.
With Colin's leadership, FSB has successfully launched several brands nationally in less than 12 months of distribution into some of these prominent accounts such as Hyatt, Mastro’s, Morton’s, Stepstone Hospitality, IHG/Kimpton Hotels, Tribute Portfolio, Invited Clubs, Marriott, Delta Sky Club, Legends Hospitality, Aimbridge Hospitality, Levy, H.E.I, PPX Hospitality and Hilton Corporate to name a few.
Ronald G Castruita
Senior VP, Natural
(949) 370-2408
Ron comes from the natural retail industry where he founded natural food stores, and worked as an owner/operator, buyer and category manager. From direct sales, marketing, business development and start-up, he has interfaced with clients as a broker, distributor both nationally and internationally. He has authored sales management and merchandising training manuals and has worked with grocery retail chains, regional accounts and independents successfully bringing new products to market.
Carlos Blythe
Regional Vice President- Northern California
Carlos Blythe, a 25-year veteran in the adult beverage space cut his teeth with E&J Gallo, American Wine and Spirits and 10 years as the Sales Manager with Remy Martin-Cointreau. For the last 12 years he has successfully worked with smaller family wine and spirits brands assisting with the day-to-day management and sales at the highest level.
David Avila
Northern California Chain SVP
David Avila has spent 23 years at Southern Glazers Wines and Spirits, a global beverage distributor, gaining invaluable insights into market trends, consumer preferences, and supply chain intricacies. His roles encompassed sales, marketing, and management, further honing my expertise. His career in alcohol sales spans three decades, leading product launches and sales strategies.
Daven DeMeyere
Senior Vice President – Southeast
Daven DeMeyer brings more than 30 years of wine and spirits sales leadership to First Step Beverage. He has held senior roles with Maison Domaine Château & Vignobles, Italian Wine Brands, and The Wine Group, leading distributor relationships, retail expansion, and commercial strategy for premium wine portfolios. Based in Vero Beach, Florida, Daven represents First Step Beverage throughout the Southeast, helping suppliers expand distribution and achieve sustainable growth.
David Seide
Regional Vice President-Southeast
David Seide was and raised in Michigan, David came to the wine business early, growing up working for his father’s distributorship. He began fulltime after graduating from Michigan State University, and later transitioned to a career working exclusively for leading and family-owned wineries over thirty-plus years. He enjoys building successful relationships with distributors and national accounts — both on- and off-premise — and relishes developing existing, new, private, and strategic brands.
John Edgerly
Regional Vice President -Mountain Region
John Edgerly started his career in Colorado with McKesson Wine and Spirits. After 4 years he was recruited by Ste Michelle winery as regional sales manager for CO NM and AZ. 2 years later he was recruited by Trinchero Family Estates where he spent the next 26 years as Division Manager and Western US National Accounts Hotel Manager. In 2013 he started First Step Beverage of Colorado Marketing covering 10 states in the Midwest.
Jake Cameron
Southern California Chain Manager
Jake is a graduate from San Clemente High School who holds two 50 year old school records in basketball for most three points in a game and season. His tenacity for being the best was seen when he worked for Youngs Market Company in 2019 as one of the youngest managers hired to run a territory. He joined First Step Beverage as a territory manager calling on the top grocery stores in Orange County and San Diego. Jake now handles multiple chains and works with the DSD stores selling our brands into top accounts.