Chris Steffanci, CEO, Columbia Distributing

Chris Steffanci is President and CEO of Columbia Distributing in Seattle Washington, one of the nation’s largest beverage distributing companies. Chris has spent the last 20 years in the wine and beer industry where he has held senior leadership roles in sales, marketing and strategy. Chris began his career with Gallo Wine on the east coast but overtime decided his true passion was in the beer industry. He has since devoted the majority of his energy working for major global and domestic brewers such as Diageo-Guinness USA in various sales/marketing roles, at Heineken USA where he held several senior leadership roles and as COO of Pabst Brewing Company. Chris’ high energy and passionate leadership style have been the key drivers behind his successful career. In October 2007, at the age of 34, he was awarded New York’s 40 Under 40 award while he was the Senior VP of Sales for the US business at Heineken. Chris is also a member of the Pacific Northwest Young Presidents Organization. He has been featured in several Beverage Journals and participated in numerous speaking engagements within the industry. Chris is a graduate of Plymouth State University in New Hampshire with a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics.