About us

Founded in August 1938 by the late Fate D. Leebern, Georgia Crown Distributing Company is a family-owned business. First known as Columbus Wine Company Distributors, the company unloaded the first carload of legal liquor in Columbus following the end of Prohibition.

Four generations of Leeberns have formed the leadership of Georgia Crown: Fate D. Leebern, Donald Leebern, Sr., Donald M. Leebern, Jr. and Don Leebern III. Following the death of Fate D. Leebern in 1946, Donald Leebern, Sr. took command until 1957 when Donald M. Leebern, Jr. took over. In September 1987, the fourth generation, Don Leebern III joined the company. Don Leebern III is the current President of Georgia Crown and Don Leebern, Jr. is the CEO.

Georgia Crown Distributing Co. is a full service beverage distributor with wholesale operations in Alabama, Georgia and Tennessee, selling imported and domestic spirits, wines, beers and specialty products. In 1990, Georgia Crown entered the home and office bottled water business with its new division, Poland Spring Water Distributing Company. One year later, it opened its first bottling plant that produced bottled water from its spring in Dahlonega, Georgia. The home and office water division is now named Melwood Springs, with the bottling facility located in Blue Ridge, Georgia.

Georgia Crown's corporate office is located in McDonough, Georgia, centralizing all corporate sales direction, administration, information systems and accounting functions. Centralization of these functions has proven beneficial both to Georgia Crown, its suppliers and customers. For almost 80 years, Georgia Crown has been growing, changing and diversifying. Georgia Crown is rooted in the past, with a bright and challenging vision for the future.

Our Leadership - Georgia

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Jerry McManus

Vice President - Sales and Marketing

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John M. Tanzine, III

Executive Vice President - General Counsel and Secretary

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Orlene Bovaird

Vice President - Finance

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John Little

Vice President - Pricing & Procurement

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Cort Centanni

Vice President - Trade Marketing

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Dan Kelly

Vice President - National Accounts

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Alan Walker

Vice President - Information Technology

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Mary Beth Gibbon

Vice President - Human Resources

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Melanie Corley

Director of Operations

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Jim Walters

Manager of Trade Marketing - Specialty & Marketing Services

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Carey Cooper

Manager of Trade Marketing - Wine

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Tom McKibbin

Manager of Trade Marketing - Wine

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George Nalley

Manager of Trade Marketing - Wine

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Glenn Ver Steeg

Manager of Trade Marketing - Beer

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Julian Barowsky

Diageo Trade Development Manager

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Christopher Ricci

Manager of Trade Marketing - Spirits

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Britt Culberson

Manager of Trade Marketing - Spirits

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Casey Stephens

Marketing Manager

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Brad Bush

General Sales Manager - Southern Division

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John Bamman

General Sales Manager - Eastern Division

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Erik Johnson

General Sales Manager - On Premise Division

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John Nalley

General Sales Manager - Off Premise - Spirits

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Greg Ozburn

General Sales Manager - Chains & Independent Package, Beer & Wine

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Heather Guy

Office Manager

Photo of the Diageo Golden Bar trophy

The Diageo Golden Bar - 2005, 2008, 2010, 2012, 2014, 2015

Photo of the Diageo Firing Glass trophy

Diageo Firing Glass Award - 2005, 2008, 2009

Photo of the Pernod Ricard USA - Innovation Excellence trophy

Pernod Ricard USA - Innovation Excellence Award - Altos 2013

Photo of the Yellow Tail - 10 Year Outstanding Partnership trophy

Yellow Tail - 10 Year Outstanding Partnership

Photo of the North American Breweries - Excellence at Retail Dundee 2010 trophy

North American Breweries - Excellence at Retail Dundee 2010

Photo of the Jameson - Thanks a Million trophy

Jameson - Thanks a Million