Sam Filmus
President & Managing Director, Keeper of the Quaich
Sam Filmus is the passionate and approachable president of ImpEx Beverages (an Importer of fine spirits from around the world) and JVS Imports (a California Distribution company). He has done what many of us aspire to in life, take a passion for something and turn it into a career.
While Sam does handle public relations, product selection, sales and marketing, logistics, and social media you will always find him hard at work, happy to do anything for the success of his staff, his customers, and the consumers who love his products… we have even caught him in the warehouse or behind the wheel of a forklift.
Sam received his Whisky Certification from the University of the Highlands and Islands Moray College early on in his career but to him his true education came from the real world and the things he has learned along the way. He was bestowed the honor of being inducted as a Keeper of the Quaich in 2018, a lifetime achievement well respected by many in the industry. Even with this title, you will find Sam to be both humble and willing to share his knowledge with anyone who will listen. He feels that educating people about the unique story behind each brand and the passion of the people involved in creating these wonderful spirits is more important than anything and loves to share this with those he meets whether at a tasting or just walking down the aisle of a store. He is never too busy to answer a question or strike up a conversation with those he meets.
More than two decades of honing his craft have made him a wealth of knowledge but he will tell you that the real honor is meeting so many of the people in this industry he has learned from and shared with.
Read more about Sam in this interview with Piotr of Whisky My Life
Chris Uhde
Vice President
As ImpEx Beverages’ Vice President, Chris has proven to be gifted in sales, marketing, and business operations by managing the needs of exclusive specialty accounts up to large scale region-wide programs. In addition to his role at ImpEx, Chris is Whisky Expert for the United Scottish Society of Southern California.
Chris is responsible for blending whiskies for the US for many of our brands from Japan. He is also responsible for the Rum and Mezcal selections you’ll find in The ImpEx Collection.
You can find Chris traveling throughout the country educating retailers, bartenders, and consumers about the process of making and drinking fine spirits with his infectious style and passion.
Helen Vrabie
Director of Operations & Logistics
Helen joined ImpEx Beverages in 2012 as an Assistant Office Manager. She quickly demonstrated her dedication to the organization by taking on additional responsibilities and was promoted to Operations & Logistics Coordinator in 2014. Her role evolved to Operations Manager in 2016, and in 2018 she was directing Logistics and Operations over both divisions in California.
Helen has a passion for the industry and those who support it. She is an instrumental part of the team and you can often find her at shows and events spreading the word about our brands and telling the unique stories of the people behind them.
Mary Barthelt
National Sales Manager
Mary joined the ImpEx team in 2022. A 20+ year service industry veteran, Mary loves spirits and creating cocktails, something she loves to share with others.
Mary is very passionate about learning and then educating others, she finds herself at home in front of a crowd and really enjoys the light in people’s eyes as they discover something new or interesting about a spirit type or specific brand.
In her spare time, Mary enjoys spending time with her family and checking out exciting new venues in her home state of IL. If you see her around town, be sure to ask her if there’s a spot she’d recommend and a cocktail you have to try!
Brian Dvoret
Executive Sales Manager
Brian has been involved in the Scotch Whisky Industry for over 30 years. Brian and his family now reside in Chandler, Arizona.
Before joining ImpEx, Brian was the National Brand Ambassador for Speyside Distillery and Scott’s Independent Bottling Company. He has been involved in many Scotch Events across the US – spreading the word in his hometown of Chicago, in his dedicated markets for ImpEx, and also the amazing cities of Dallas, Pleasanton, & New York City. He’s even hosted at the Rocky Mountain Cigar Festival… Brian is very passionate about Cigar and Whisky pairings!
In addition to visiting distilleries here in the US, Brian loves teaching about and exploring distilleries around the world. Along with many expeditions to the UK, he even had the privilege of exploring Lark Distillery in Hobart, Tasmania. In addition to multiple Burns’ Nights and private events, Brian has given thousands of seminars on Whisky. No matter what the opportunity, Brian loves to spread understanding and share his passion for the stories behind the spirit!
Brian serves the AK, AZ, CO, MI, NM, and NV Markets.
Kevin Obis
Territory Sales Manager
Kevin started his career in the beverage industry as a craft cocktail bartender, honing his skills for cocktails and conversation in some of Seattle’s best bars. During his time there he grew to love and appreciate the simplicity of a dram of scotch, perhaps with just a splash of water.
Kevin joined ImpEx in 2020, eager to bring his enthusiasm for Single Malt whiskies and their stories to the people of the Pacific Northwest in a new and exciting way.
In 2024, Kevin returned to his hometown in IL and now serves the Midwest with the same passion and enthusiasim he brought to the Pacific Northwest.
Kevin serves the IL, IN, KY, and WI Markets.
Melissa Ginzburg
Midwestern Regional Sales Manager
Melissa Ginzburg leads regional market strategy and growth initiatives across the Midwest. She brings hands-on industry experience from working in both sales and production at a Minnesota-based distillery, giving her a comprehensive understanding of the spirits business from concept to consumer.
Melissa is a strong advocate for independent brands and is committed to building thoughtful, sustainable partnerships that support long-term success.
Melissa serves the KS, MN, MO, and NE Markets.
Robert Sickler
Southeast Sales Manager
Robert Sickler, a 20 year veteran of the Wine & Spirits industry, spends his days organizing whisky tastings, seminars, and spirited dinners to introduce people to all things whisky. Trained in all aspects of whisky by experts at some of the world’s most famous distilleries, Sickler takes pride in converting new whisky enthusiasts “one dram at a time.”
Before discovering a career in whisky, Sickler worked as an English teacher for 9 years; however, his passion for wine and spirits made him change course. He became a veteran of the wine and spirits world, working as bartender, distributor salesperson, brand ambassador, bar owner, restauranteur, and spirits consultant. 10 years of his spirits career were spent working as a Master of Whisky with global drinks company Diageo, where he developed a reverence for all aspects of the whisky world. In recent years he opened Finn’s Manor, a whisky-centric cocktail bar in Denver, CO, which received numerous accolades for its whisky and cocktail program. In 2021 Sickler decided to return to Florida, starting a new chapter in his home state.
Robert loves to share his passion with the people he meets and his focus on education makes him a great asset no matter what your experience with spirits.
Robert serves the FL, GA, LA, MS, and TN Markets.
Brian Mura
Territory Sales Manager
Brian came to ImpEx in 2024 with a proven track record with Westland Distillery and Remy Cointreau where he was instrumental in product launches, tastings & events, building and developing programs, and fostering growth and relationships across all lines of business.
A native of Washington, Brian brings this expertise to lovers of ImpEx products across the Pacific Northwest with enthusiasm and a zest for the stories behind each of our brands.
Brian currently serves the OR and WA Markets.
Matt Collins
Sales & Education Specialist
Starting as a bartender for some of Manhattan’s biggest names, Matt began his carreer in the industry. Later moving into a managerial role where he was in charge of beverage programs and menu curation, it became clear to him that he wanted to make his career on the other side of the bar
Initially joining NYC’s premiere beer distributor, after honing his skills in craft beer sales Matt moved into spirit sales where he has continued to soak up as much knowledge as he could.
Over a decade later, in 2024, Matt joined ImpEx Beverages where his combined love of travel, of visiting the sources of many of the worlds producers, and his pure passion for the industry serve him well in his new role.
Matt serves the NY and NJ Markets.
Brian Scardino
Sales & Education Specialist
Brian is a veteran on both the suppler and distributor sides of the Greater Boston and New England beverage industry.
He joined the ImpEx team in 2024 with a deep passionate for sharing the stories and histories of our brands through tastings and education. Whether it is at an in-store event or at the kitchen table with friends and family, he loves to introduce people to different and exciting liquids.
Outside of work Brian enjoys spending time with his wife, two daughters, and their dog, Baxter. He is a diehard fan of his beloved Boston sports teams and an avid record collector.
Brian serves the New England territory – MA, ME, NH, RI, & VT.
Bob Couto
Territory Sales Manager
Bob is a 20+ year industry veteran who started his career in operations at a distributor as a summer job. He shifted into merchandising, then sales, and never looked back. His passion for the industry led him through roles with both suppliers and wholesalers (as well as some side jobs in both the on and off premise).
Bob joined ImpEx in 2024 eager to bring his passion for leading people to explore and learn about the portfolio. He brings his enthusiasm for drawing out what others are looking for and guiding them to that ideal experience. He enjoys sharing the stories behind the liquid and conveying the passion that built each brand.
Bob serves the CT, MA, ME, NH, RI, and VT Markets.
Caitlyn Ross
Sales & Education Specialist
After 10 years of progressive experience in retail with one of Texas’ favorite chains to find your favorite adult beverage, Caitlyn joined the team at ImpEx in 2025. Excited to share her passion for spirits and the stories behind the brands, she looks forward to embarking in this new journey representing brands of exceptional quality and artistry in the Texas market.
Caitlyn is always eager to learn and fascinated by crafting complex flavor profiles. Traveling frequently to explore distilleries and the unique processes that bring them to life, Caitlyn seeks to deepen her understanding and refine her palate.
Whether introducing someone to their new favorite Scotch or engaging in a conversation about spirits with friends, Caitlyn’s enthusiasm is contagious. She’s had the unique pleasure of turning her passion for the industry into a career she loves. If you see Caitlyn around town, be sure to ask her about her local club who she is an avid member of. She’ll gladly introduce you around and help you meet some like-minded friends who love Scotch as much as she does.
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Chimney
Head of Quality Control
Chimney is our friendly, social, energetic, and playful Head of Quality Control. Perpetually curious, Chimney spends his days observing the happenings at ImpEx Beverages with a keen attention to detail, ensuring that no steps are missed to bring the people who love the spirits we import a product inspired, crafted, and delivered with care and a commitment to quality.
When Chimney isn’t in the warehouse you can find him in San Francisco, introducing our brands to the community.