Wilson Daniels Team Spotlight: Rob Tedder
In our Wilson Daniels Team Spotlight, we take a look at the team members that make this biz what it is. Get to know Rob Tedder, Director of National Accounts-East. Rob is a seasoned pro in the wine-biz with over 20 years of experience. He’s been with Wilson Daniels since August of 2017.
WHAT YOU WERE DOING BEFORE WILSON DANIELS: Before I had the pleasure of joining the Wilson Daniels team I was doing National Accounts for Frederick Wildman.
IN THREE SENTENCES OR LESS, EXPLAIN WHAT YOU DO: I develop Brand Strategies, based on needs and trends with our Distributor Chain Teams. I go about this by presenting each of our brands with an emphasis on location, family, and style. To provide on and off premise decision makers the opportunity to say “yes,” I present Wilson Daniels’ expansive portfolio.
WHAT GOT YOU INTO WINE? DID YOU ALWAYS HAVE A PASSION FOR IT? During my time as a teacher, I would tend a bar for extra cash, as well as manage the bar’s wine list. I kept sending the Zinfandel wine back to the distributor because it wasn’t pink… Let’s just say they set me straight after three weeks. After that experience I couldn’t stop talking about wine with the sales representative. Within a few months I wore them down and they offered me a position. This was one of the greatest accidental happenings of my professional career.
WHAT’S BEEN YOUR FAVORITE EXPERIENCE WORKING WITH WILSON DANIELS? One of my favorite experiences while working with Wilson Daniels was definitely meeting and interacting with our winery partners at the 40th Anniversary event.
WHO IS YOUR MENTOR? I’ve had a few in my career, but if pressed I would have to say Jim Johnson. He gave me my first shot at the industry. He trained me, pressed me, and always expected my best… Tough yet fair.
WHAT WOULD YOUR COLLEAGUES BE SURPRISED TO KNOW? I love going to the beach, but I don’t like going in the ocean… It’s like warm, dirty bath water with sharks… No thanks.
WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE WINE? WHY? Most Chablis…there’s just something soothing about the style and expression that makes me want to stop what I’m doing and just enjoy what’s in my glass.
WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE DRINK THAT *ISN’T* WINE? Bourbon Manhattan
FAVORITE VACATION SPOT, YOU KNOW, WHEN NOT IN THE OFFICE? My favorite “spot” is anywhere that I haven’t been to yet. I’m always eager to travel somewhere new.
WHAT DO YOU LIKE TO DO IN YOUR FREE TIME? I really want to say something cool, like “rock climbing” or “base jumping.” My free time is family fun time: biking, trips to the park, recitals, swim meets, and “minecrafting.”