Title: Chief Executive Officer and Business Consultant
Company: Liberty Lighthouse Group LLP
Location: Tiburon, California, United States
Edward F. McDonnell Jr., Chief Executive Officer and Business Consultant at Liberty Lighthouse Group LLP, has been recognized by Marquis Who’s Who Top Business Owners for dedication, achievements, and leadership in Business and Consulting Services.
Mr. McDonnell is lauded for his expertise as the chief executive officer and business consultant for Liberty Lighthouse Group (LLG) LLC, a premium alcoholic beverage sales and marketing agency based in San Francisco, for over 25 years. The international spirits consultancy supports other companies in establishing new brands or supporting their current brands throughout the Asia-Pacific and European distribution channels. In his leading role, Mr. McDonnell excels at providing his expertise in brand management, development and distribution services for companies throughout the Middle East, Africa, South America, Asia-Pacific and European markets.
Born in Boston, Mr. McDonnell lived for many years in places like Sao Paulo, London, Connecticut, and Minnesota because of his father’s career with Raytheon and General Foods. His initial foray into the spirits sector began in 1986 with John E. Seagrams & Sons as a trade researcher learning all about sales and marketing. Mr. McDonnell then traveled to Australia as a wine salesperson and national marketing brand manager for the organization, marketing manager for its sales division, marketing manager for its Hong Kong duty-free division, and finally as the Guam regional director for Micronesia and Mariana’s Commonwealth, where he garnered significant success and growth for Seagrams Asia-Pacific, until 1994.
Over the next two decades, Mr. McDonnell excelled, earning positions with companies like Chivas Brothers Limited and Chivas Brothers International Limited, La Fée Spirits, Compass Box and Patrón Spirits International AG. While with Chivas, he was influential in making Chivas Regal the number one in sales in 2004.
Mr. McDonnell’s first experience with LLG was as a whisky specialist in 1994 and then as a tequila specialist in 1998. He also worked in international sales and marketing as a director for the company from 2015 to 2018. Besides his expertise with LLG, Mr. McDonnell has long been affiliated with McCormick Distilling Company since 1999, active with its Asia-Pacific and Indian subcontinent.
Besides his primary goals, Mr. McDonnell served an instrumental role on the board of directors at Premier Wines and Spirits in the Philippines and the U.S. Virgin Islands from 1995 to 2016. Additionally, he spent over 20 years on the board of directors for Premier Wines and Spirits in the Philippines between 1996 and 2017.
Aside from his dedication to spirits, Mr. McDonnell has excelled as a freelance photographer for over 35 years. His notable accomplishments include contributing to the United Nations’ Earth Day projects on endangered animals. He looks forward to completing his first photography book on Tiburon and Belvedere, California. Mr. McDonnell’s creative ventures extend to writing, having authored “Ted’s Vietnam Adventure—Part Two” via Booze Business in 2017 and “Vietnam and Chivas Regal: A Salesman’s Story” via Booze Business in 2017.
Mr. McDonnell graduated from Wayzata High School in Minnesota in 1980. He then pursued advanced education at Franklin Pierce University in New Hampshire, receiving a Bachelor of Arts in communication and media studies in 1985.
Civically engaged, Mr. McDonnell enjoys giving back to worthy causes. He volunteers and generously donates to local homeless and immigrant initiatives. He also frequently mentors the youth in pursuit of their career objectives.
Reflecting on his career, Mr. McDonnell’s early years abroad in various countries greatly influenced his career decisions in international business and marketing in the beverage industry. His extensive career allowed him to introduce numerous spirits brands to global markets for Compass Box Whisky, Casa Noble Tequila, La Fee Absinth, Porfidio Tequila and Flor de Cana, among others. He also garnered recognition for collaborating with La Cofradia Distillery and artist Kim Brandi for their blue agave tequilas, Sangre de Vida, a unique Tequila and tiki-aged rum ranges, including Dead Head and Monkey Rums. Among other accomplishments, Mr. McDonnell remains a well-respected leader in the industry.
For more information, please visit:
Contact Mr. McDonnell:
