Ohio-based Middle West Spirits announced the appointment of Luis Gonzalez as Chief Commercial Officer (CCO). This follows Middle West Spirits’ acquisition of Old Elk Distillery in May 2025, where Gonzalez served as CEO. The acquisition marked a major milestone for Middle West Spirits, enhancing its scale, capabilities, and portfolio.

In his new role, Gonzalez will lead commercial strategy and execution, along with overseeing Operations and Marketing divisions. He will also spearhead the continued growth of Middle West Spirits’ contract distillation program, expanding its reach into international markets and enabling partners around the world to develop custom spirits under their own labels.

“This is an exciting chapter for Middle West,” Ryan Lang, Founder and CEO of Middle West Spirits, said in a news release. “Luis is a proven leader who understands the power of people, process and brand. His unique ability to align strategy with execution will be key to accelerating our commercial momentum and unlocking new opportunities across our portfolio and the globe.”

Gonzalez served as CEO of Old Elk Distillery for over seven years, transforming it from a niche craft operation into a highly awarded, nationally recognized whiskey brand available in all 50 states. He was instrumental in scaling the distillery’s custom mashbill program and launching several standout products, including the Signature High-Malt Bourbon, Master’s Blend Series, and Cask Finish Series.

“Middle West has long been committed to raising the bar in the global spirits industry,” Gonzalez said. “From crafting world-class whiskey and premium spirits for our own portfolio to partnering with some of the most respected names in the business, the team here has earned a reputation for excellence, innovation, and consistency — always grounded in integrity and honor.

“I’m excited and grateful to join this remarkable team and serve the business as it enters its next era. With our state-of-the-art facility and forward-thinking approach, we’re positioned to grow both our branded and contract operations without sacrificing quality. Whether you’re a distributor, a producer, or an entrepreneur entering the market, Middle West offers a partnership defined by trust, results, and long-term success. Through my appointment, I will carry on the company’s foundation that Middle West is a business that our partners can depend on today and for the future of the industry.”

Read more: Middle West Spirits Acquires Old Elk Distillery

ABOUT MIDDLE WEST SPIRITS

Middle West Spirits is an independently-owned distillery rooted in Ohio that produces a portfolio of award winning brands including, Middle West Bourbon, Rye, Wheat Whiskey, Bourbon Cream, Old Elk Bourbon Whiskey, OYO Vodka, Vim & Petal Gin, and Lux & Umbra. Middle West uses unique Ohio grains and controls every step of the production process – from seed selection to on-site grain processing, distilling, aging, blending and bottling – all in its Columbus, Ohio distilleries. To learn more about Middle West Spirits, visit https://middlewestspirits.com/.