FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Monday, Sept. 21, 2020
Contact: Sarah Ketvirtis, Pike Distributors, 906-786-3732
MARQUETTE, Mich. — Pike Distributors, a family owned beer and wine distributor serving a seven-county area of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, is toasting the accomplishments of women in the beer and wine industry on American Business Women’s Day, which is Tuesday, Sept. 22. Roughly 10% of the distributor’s workforce is made up of women, including Vice President Sarah Ketvirtis.
“Leading by example is important, which is why I have spent time working in every area of our company over the last four years,” Ketvirtis said. “If I want our team to rotate or build displays a certain way, I want them to know I’ve been in their shoes before and speak from experience.”
Ketvirtis grew up at the family owned distributor, which was started by her grandfather Stanley J. Ketvirtis of Newberry, Michigan. Sarah and her brother Jack Ketvirtis now run the day-to-day operations, including overseeing warehouses in Marquette, Gladstone and Newberry. As children, the two often did odd jobs around the warehouse, like sweeping the floors and washing then re-packing breakage. In high school and college, Sarah worked as a merchandiser and on the sales team.
“When I was in high school, I remember watching Kay Heikkila haul case after case of beer as part of her sales job,” Ketvirtis said. “She inspired me and showed me at an early age there is a place for women in this industry.”
Ketvirtis is a member of the Michigan Beer & Wine Wholesalers Association’s newly created Women’s Advocacy Committee. It was created to highlight and amplify the important work women do at Michigan’s beer and wine distributors and to advocate for distributor interests in Lansing.
“I’m excited to see what this committee can accomplish, and I am hopeful it can be a strong mentoring group for women in the beer and wine industry throughout Michigan,” Ketvirtis said. “I also encourage any women interested in a career in either industry to reach out and see what opportunities are available at Michigan’s independent, family owned and operated beer and wine distributors.”
American Business Women’s Day, which began in 1982, is celebrated annually on Sept. 22 to honor and reflect on the contributions and accomplishments of the millions of women throughout Michigan and across the United States in the workforce and those who run or own their own businesses.
Pike Distributors, a family owned beer and wine distributor, operates out of warehouses in Marquette, Newberry and Gladstone servicing retailers throughout the central U.P.