ATCHISON, KANSAS, U.S. — Gus Griffin, president and chief executive officer (CEO) of MGP Ingredients, Inc., has been elected to the company’s board of directors effective immediately, the company said on Aug. 11.  

His election by holders of MGP’s preferred stock fills a board vacancy that was created when former president and CEO Tim Newkirk left the company this past December.

Griffin began his role as MGP’s top executive on July 28. His professional background includes significant and progressive experience with Brown-Forman Corp., a leading global wine and spirits company. He was employed with Brown-Forman for 24 years, ultimately serving as senior vice president and global managing director in charge of the company’s flagship Jack Daniel’s business.

From 2011-13, Griffin served as brand and business consultant for Nelson’s Green Brier Distillery, Nashville, Tenn. For a year prior to joining MGP, he was employed as executive vice-president of marketing for Next Level Spirits, a northern California-based producer, importer and distributor of premium wine and spirits brands.