ST. LOUIS – Schlafly Beer has a new chief executive officer.
The brewery announced Fran Caradonna as their new CEO on Tuesday. She’s a 25-year craft beer veteran and joined the Schlafly team earlier this year as both chief financial officer and chief administrative officer.
Emily Parker-Lampe, former head of brewing operations, has been serving as interim CEO for the last six months and is now chief of brewery operations. Parker-Lampe joined Schlafly in 2010 and has served as head of brewing for the last year and a half. As chief of brewery operations, Parker-Lampe will take on responsibility for both the company’s breweries and all staff and activity related to the brewing and packaging of Schlafly Beer.
“I’ve known Fran for as long as I’ve been in the beer business, and I have tremendous respect for her. I’m delighted to have someone with her experience and skills as CEO at this critical time for our company,” Chairman Tom Schlafly said.
Caradonna said it’s an honor and privilege to be part of the Schlafly team.
“It is an honor and a privilege to join the Schlafly team at this particular moment in the company’s life, especially given my own career history and experience. What an opportunity to work shoulder to shoulder with the people who have worked together to make Schlafly a great destination in our city, known to have the best beer scene in America!” Caradonna said.
In May, Dave Schlafly announced along with a group of local investors, acquired the controlling interest in the brewery. David is a cousin of co-founder Tom Schlafly, meaning the new ownership structure allows the Schlafly family to continue the Schlafly Beer legacy into the future.
Caradonna most recently served at the general manager for O’Fallon Brewery. She contributed to the St. Louis area’s craft beer expansion. She was co-founder and vice president of The Signature Beer Company, one of Schlafly’s first wholesalers, as well as co-founder and chief executive officer of O’Fallon Brewery.
At The Signature Beer Company, the wholesaler acquired and launched several national craft beers in the St. Louis area. Caradonna built the company for success through raising capital for expansion and management of all financials. In 2000, Fran co-founded O’Fallon Brewery with her former husband, Tony, and helped build several award-winning brands over 10 years, with sales and production around 6,400 barrels in 2010.
