Christopher Pryor joins Wyeast Laboratories as director of sales & marketing

When not logging, Chris Pryor is out there supporting the craft beer industry — via the Brewers Association and now Wyeast Labs.

Wyeast Laboratories Inc. has been producing pure liquid yeast cultures and fermentations products crafted since 1986. Now, Christopher Pryor is aiming to help grow and market the superior products, insightful technical expertise and helpful customer service that has earned Wyeast Laboratories its reputation as a worldwide industry leader.

Wyeast Laboratories just announced Pryor has joined the company as director of sales and marketing. Pryor joins Wyeast Laboratories during an exciting period of growth for the company and will oversee all aspects of Wyeast’s marketing and sales, including the development of strategic industry objectives and opportunities and initiatives to achieve the overall goals of the company. The announcement was made by Wyeast Laboratories Founder and President Jeannette Kreft-Logsdon.

“When Wyeast Laboratories Inc. was established in 1986, it was the first company to address the needs of the craft brewing industry with pure liquid yeast,” said Kreft-Logsdon. “Today, we are a global leader in producing pure liquid yeast for the fermentable beverage industries, with a strategic vision of expansion to continue to address new markets and the increasing needs of our existing and growing clientele. With Chris’ expansive knowledge of the craft brewing industry and marketing insight, he was the perfect addition to facilitate Wyeast in realizing its goals,”

Pryor will be responsible for managing and directing all aspects of Wyeast’s sales and marketing programs, including inside and outside sales, the customer service teams for retail and commercial accounts, as well as strategic marketing and development plans to fulfill Wyeast’s growth and revenue goals.

Pryor joins Wyeast Laboratories from the Brewers Association (BA), where he served for more than a decade, most recently as business development manager for advertising and sponsorship. In his position at the BA, Pryor collaborated with several hundred clients to develop strategic marketing and communications opportunities through the BA and American Homebrewers Association. He was also responsible for generating significant advertising and sponsorship revenue during his 11 years with the organization.

“I am eager to jump into my new role with Wyeast Laboratories,” Pryor said. “This new position offers me the opportunity to utilize my experience in craft brewing and from other industries to diversify Wyeast from other suppliers. Wyeast is a legacy brand, and I look forward to helping the company continue to develop its sales and marketing programs and reach new markets and goals.”

Before joining the BA in 2003, Pryor served as regional marketing and promotions representative for Ticketmaster Colorado, where he worked with many of the mountain region’s major professional sports and art and entertainment clients and venues. Pryor graduated from the University of Northern Colorado with both an undergraduate and graduate degree in Communications. Pryor lives in Edwards, Colo., with his wife and two sons.