HOUSTON, TX – March 17, 2009 – Patrick Henry, president of Houston, Texas based Patrick Henry Creative Promotions, Inc. was among a well-respected group of hospitality industry peers, which included members of the Millennium Advisory Board, at Mix Lounge at THEHotel at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas on March 3 at a private reception to present the Hospitality ICON award to beverage veteran Jim Flaherty.
Mike O'Connel, The Patron Spirits Company; John Maggio, The Patron Spirits Company; Donna Frederick, Beam Global; Jim Flaherty; Emy Kaplan (Jim's former long-time assistant) and Linda Barnhart, Pernod Ricard USA.
“Jim is a dear friend and I have tremendous respect for him. It’s a true testament to his talent and influence that some of the best people in the beverage hospitality industry today are the ones that Jim personally hired and trained,” said Henry.
“On-premise national accounts wouldn't be what it is today without Jim Flaherty. His vision and leadership truly molded the beverage supplier role in the national account arena earning him the affectionate title of ‘Godfather of National Accounts’,” said Linda Barnhart, national accounts manager for Pernod Ricard USA and a former employee of Flaherty’s.
Mike O’Connell, vice president of national accounts for The Patrón Spirits Company, who also worked for Flaherty shared, "Jim is a visionary that identified on-premise national accounts as a channel with long-term growth potential. His biggest strengths are his leadership, relationship management and mentoring skills. I hope some day to be half as good at my job as Jim Flaherty is at his (as he mentioned, he is not retired). Jim is the best of the best."
Mr. Flaherty’s wife Joni and daughter Erin Flaherty, who is the national events coordinator for The Patrón Spirits Company, enjoyed the evening’s reception along with representatives from Pernod Ricard USA, The Patrón Spirits Company, Beam Global Spirits & Wine, Inc., E & J Gallo, MillerCoors, American Beverage Marketers, Inc., Darden Restaurants, Outback Steakhouse, Hospitality USA, BJ’s Restaurants, Ruby Tuesday, HMSHost, Mitchell’s Fish Market, Fado Irish Pub, Z’Tejas Southwestern Grill, T.G.I. Friday’s, The Palm Restaurants and Mr. Flaherty’s wife Joni and daughter Erin were on hand to congratulate Mr. Flaherty on his award. The award ceremony was held during the annual Nightclub & Bar Convention and Trade show that took place March 1-4 in Las Vegas.
About Jim Flaherty
Jim Flaherty worked in the hospitality beverage industry for 41 years and was with Allied Domecq for 35 of those years. His titles ranged from National Sales Manager for Kahlua, Director of Business Development for Allied Domecq to Senior Vice President & National Sales for all of Allied Domecq. Jim's impact and influence can be found throughout the industry from the success of people who have gone on to work for The Patrón Spirits Company, Beam Global Spirits and Wine, Pernod Ricard USA, independent suppliers, buyers and agencies such as Patrick Henry Creative Promotions, Inc.
Contact:
Laura Nepveux
Patrick Henry Creative Promotions
281-983-5500, laura@phcp.com