San Diego-headquartered craft beer maker Green Flash Brewing Co. has named Chris Ross as its chief operating officer, as it continues to boost production and distribution. The appointment took effect on Sept. 1.
A company statement said Ross has held previous executive positions with companies including Intrinsyc Technologies Corp., Novatel Wireless Inc., Ericsson Wireless Communications and Qualcomm Inc. He is new to craft beer, after more than 25 years leading global operations in telecommunications, information technology and consumer electronics.
“Chris will be joining us as COO at a crucial time for Green Flash,” said CEO Mike Hinkley, noting that the company is now running operations for two brands in five local locations, as it works to complete construction on its previously announced new brewery in Virginia Beach, Va.
Hinkley said he will remain “completely hands-on” in the brewer’s daily business, focusing on big-picture strategy. Ross will lead the company’s expansion process, with the East Coast brewery as his first focus. Virginia Beach operations could open as early as May 2016, starting with a tasting room.
Green Flash has recently been expanding its packaged beer offerings, introducing several products in six-packs, and will be increasing its production and distribution of products made by Alpine Beer Co., which it acquired last year.
Officials are projecting that Green Flash will reach a production capacity of 100,000 barrels in the fourth quarter of this year.
Started in 2002 and based in Mira Mesa, Green Flash is led by co-founders Mike and Lisa Hinkley, with Chuck Silva heading brewing operations. It is the local region’s fourth-largest craft beer maker and ranked at No. 48 on a list of the nation’s 50 largest brewers based on 2014 sales volume, published by the Colorado-based Brewers Association.
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