Mesa Distributing's Fowler celebrates 25th anniversary

Modern Brewery Age, Sept 8, 2003

September 1st marked the 25th anniversary of Mesa Distributing Co. Inc., the San Diego beer wholesaler.

The company chalked up 2003 annual revenues estimated at $124,500,000 and volume of 9,400,000 case equivalents.

The company is one component of the Liquid Investments beverage empire that also includes Mesa Beverage Co., Inc. and Colorado Beverage Distributing, Inc.

Chairman and CEO Ron Fowler said he built Mesa with a mantra of "underpromise, overdeliver," and he now controls the nation's 11th largest distributor network.

Fowler started working in the beverage industry with some great old names. He started out at the Theodore Harem Brewing Company, then went on to Lucky Breweries and Olympia Brewing Company. He moved to the distributor side at H.A. Lavezzi Co., Inc. in 1974. After serving in various capacities including Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, Fowler purchased the distributorship in 1978. Naming the company after the office's location on the "mesa" of La Mesa, Mesa started out with 55 employees, approximate annual revenues of $11,500,000 and volume of 1,200,000 case equivalents.

Initially, Mesa's small portfolio of brands included Olympia, Olympia Gold, Miller High Life, Miller Lite, Heineken and Watney's. Twenty-five years later, the portfolio has grown significantly to include the following suppliers: Miller Brewing Company, Labatt USA. Heineken USA, Diageo-Guinness, Boston Beer Company, Beck's North America, Sierra Nevada, Mike's Hard Lemonade, Gordon Biersch, Anchor, Asahi, Pyramid, Lagunitas, Crystal Geyser and Palomar Mountain and others. The distribution territory has grown to include San Diego County from the Orange County line south to the Mexican border, east to Julian and west to the Pacific Ocean.

In 1980, Mesa Distributing moved to a larger facility on Trade Street in Sorrento Mesa, where the company would stay for 10 years. Mesa moved to its current Sorrento Mesa facilities on Liquid Court in 1990.

Mesa Distributing's holding company, Liquid Investments, Inc., was created in 1983. This distributor network began expansion in 1988, when Mesa Beverage Co., Inc. acquired and merged two distributorships in Santa Rosa. In 1993, Colorado Beverage Distributing, Inc. was created, servicing the Western slope region of Colorado, to include Grand Junction and Montrose.

In 1996, Mesa Distributing purchased H.A. Lavezzi's San Diego North County operation, a significant territory gain in San Diego County.

In 1998, a Sacramento distributorship was purchased, increasing Mesa Beverage's geographical footprint in Northern California. This acquisition completed the current makeup of Liquid Investments' distribution network, with annual revenues of $260,000,000, and volume of 18,500,000 case equivalents.

Fowler says that his working relationships with people at Mesa had made the 25 years in the business memorable. "The most rewarding aspect of this business has been watching the personal and professional growth of our employees over the past 25 years. Whether they stayed and advanced at Mesa, or moved elsewhere, the people at Mesa have all been very special to me--they're like family."

As a significant contributor to the industry, Fowler's involvement spans far beyond the Liquid Investment distributor network. He currently serves on the Executive Committee of Columbia Distributing Company, a Portland, Oregon based distribution company; Chairman of the Executive Committee of Brick Brewing Co., Ltd. in Waterloo, Ontario, Canada, and Chairman of the Miller Brewing Company Distributor Council.

Mesa Distributing has also taken community involvement to an unparalleled level for a local beverage distributor. Infusing the company with principles of social responsibility, Fowler has led Mesa to be a strong supporter of numerous community organizations and charities.

Fowler most recently served as Chairman of the San Diego Super Bowl Task Force and Super Bowl XXXVII Host Committee. He also chaired the Mayor's Task Force on Padres Planning, was the Founding Chairman and former President of the San Diego International Sports Council, and President of The San Diego Hall of Champions. In 1991, Fowler was recognized as "San Diego Sports Businessman of the Year" for his longtime achievements and contribution to sports.

Fowler has also received numerous civic awards, including the 1997 Community Champion Award from the San Diego Hall of Champions and San Diego's 1997 "Nice Guy of the Year." Fowler was also named "Entrepreneur of the Year" in 1996.

Fowler is also actively involved with local universities, and presently serves as the Chairman of the Board of Directors of The Campanile Foundation at San Diego State University, and is a Member of the Board of Trustees at the University of San Diego.

Fowler also serves as an Advisory Board member of the San Diego Chapter of the Multiple Sclerosis Society, and previously served on the Boards of Children's Hospital, Scripps Hospital Foundation and the San Diego County YMCA.