Rudy Ruiz & Jay Brown Join the Board of Casa Komos Beverage Group
By: Richard Betts
Tags: Alcohol, Music, VC, Tequila, Startup

I’m a believer that one should create at the intersection of enthusiasm and opportunity. This is to say, just because something is interesting to you, it doesn’t mean that it will capture the imagination of anyone else. By understanding which of your enthusiasms also stand a chance of recruiting others, of building a constituency, you stand a much better chance of commercial success over time.

The constituency I’ve been keenly working on recently actually started as a group of two: myself and my co-founder and friend, Joe Marchese. Mid-summer 2018 we found ourselves at my home in Amsterdam, lamenting the lack of good Tequila in Europe. Furthermore, we also discussed how everyone goes about producing and marketing Tequila pretty much the same way. To us, this felt like an opportunity, so we shook on the spot and founded what is today the Casa Komos Beverage Group (CKBG.)

Human Ventures provided the first capital and for the past eighteen months we have been busy making things. As of today, we’ve launched two independent sub-companies: Superbird, making the best damn cocktails that also happen to come in a can, and the ultra-luxury segment Komos Añejo Claro Tequila.

The specifics of how we go about making each is for another discussion, but I will say that it is always with a keen mind to respect tradition, yet never be bound by the past. That same credo holds when thinking about the composition of our team and the partnerships we forge. Of course there is much to be learned from those who have come before, yet just because something has always been done, doesn’t make it correct.

Thus, when it comes to those to whom we look for counsel, critical thinking, and guidance, we want to be certain we surround ourselves with industry leaders and creative thinkers of diverse and complementary backgrounds.

With that, I am proud to announce two such thought leaders whom we are excited to welcome to the table: Jay Brown and Rudy Ruiz will join Heather Hartnett of Human Ventures, Joe Marchese, and myself on the CKBG Board of Directors.

Jay Brown is a 20-year-plus veteran of the music industry, the co-founder of Roc Nation, and is credited with discovering numerous superstars, including Rihanna. Jay is a co-founder and the managing director of Marcy Venture Partners where he further leverages his deep experience in and understanding of consumer behavior. Jay also serves on the boards of the Hammer Museum, Global Citizen, and the Clara Lionel Foundation. We look forward to working with Jay and bringing to bear his expertise and vision on the direction of CKBG.

Jay has this to say: “Richard and Joe are amazing people who have a great vision for the business and businesses. I’m sure this company will match the success and then some of the previous companies they have built.”

Rudy Ruiz brings over 40 years of experience in the beverage alcohol industry and most recently served as Executive Vice-President at Southern Glazer’s Wine and Spirits. Prior to his time at SGWS Rudy served as President and CEO of Bacardi USA where he worked for nearly two decades. Today Rudy is currently the Managing Director at Park Street Companies and serves on the board of Miami based Overproof. We’re excited to have Rudy’s expertise as we grow our companies and navigate the distribution and marketing landscape around the world.

Rudy: “I’ve known and worked with Richard for the past 10 years and seeing how successful he’s been has made me want to be a part of his future success and accomplishments. I feel fortunate he’s asked me to join him and his team”

Heather adds: “I’m thrilled to be on the board of CKBG because of the exciting category, exceptional founding team and early market momentum. Rudy Ruiz and Jay Brown are both pioneers in their respective industries and their unique perspective will add tremendous value to the board.”

Together with Jay and Rudy, we look forward to further innovation, executing on our visions, and building CKBG into a beverage company of consequence for decades to come.

For more information please visit www.CKBG.com