(Escondido, CA) – Stone Brewing Co. Senior VP of Sales, Arlan Arnsten, announced this week that he will be stepping down as the company’s VP of Sales. According to the brewery website, Arnsten joined the company in February of 1997, just one year after Greg Koch and Steve Wagner co-founded it. Today, the company is ranked in the top ten U.S. craft breweries by volume.

We are still awaiting response from Stone on Arnsten’s (future) replacement though it will probably not be an overnight decision.

Update: Per Public Relations Specialist, Sabrina LoPiccolo, “We are gearing up to update the job description and will begin the official search process imminently.” The company has promoted a Regional Sales Manager, Jason Armstrong, to Director of National Sales.

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Statement from Arnsten:

Though admittedly bittersweet, after 16 years as a member of Team Stone, I will be stepping down from my position as Senior Vice President of Sales to pursue interests outside of the craft beer industry.

Growing up here at Stone has been the most rewarding professional experience of my life. I want to whole-heartedly thank Greg and Steve for giving me the opportunity to participate in changing the world of beer. Forever, I will cherish the opportunity to contribute my energies to advancing the craft beer movement and appreciate all of the deep-rooted relationships I’ve been able to forge in my position. Working hand-in-hand with all of you in our industry has been nothing short of magnificent and I thank you for your contributions and camaraderie over the years. I also want to thank Paul Gatza and Nancy Johnson of the Brewers Association for always being warm and supportive of the Craft Beer Wholesalers Conference and of me personally.

I am leaving behind an amazing team that I am confident will continue to work hard towards our shared mission, and I will continue to support Team Stone’s hard work, first as a close advisor during this transitional period and later as a resource to be tapped as needed. While I am leaving Stone, I will continue to sing the praises of the craft beer community, Stone Brewing Co., its employees, its ethics and, of course, its beers. Cheers to you all and best wishes for continued success!

After June 9th, I can be reached through LinkedIn and Twitter @arnsten.

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Statement from Arnsten on Armstrong (via Stone Public Relations):

It is with great pleasure that I announce the promotion of Jason Armstrong to Director of National Sales, a new position here at Stone effective Monday, April 22. As Chad Heath’s counterpart (NOTE: Chad is the Sales Director – Southern California), Jason will oversee all our sales to distributors throughout mainland United States. All Regional Sales Managers and Regional Brewery Reps will report to Jason.

Jason celebrates his fifth year with Stone Brewing Co. next month. He first joined us as the Regional Brewery Rep in Texas in 2008 and was quickly promoted to Regional Sales Manager where he has lead Team Central to launch the states of Louisiana, Missouri, Iowa, Minnesota and Illinois.

Jason will be relocating to the San Diego area in the next few weeks.