Jonathan Newman is an American businessman, lawyer, and former Chairman of the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board. He is currently the chief executive of Newman Wines & Spirits, a wine brokerage he founded in 2008.[1]
Jonathan Newman | |
|---|---|
| Born | Jonathan H. Newman |
| Education | Juris Doctor |
| Alma mater | University of Pennsylvania Law School Bowdoin College |
| Occupation(s) | CEO, Newman Wines & Spirits |
| Known for | Oenophilia |
| Website | Jonathan Newman bio |
Early life and education
editNewman was raised in Penn Valley, Pennsylvania. He graduated from Bowdoin College summa cum laude[2] and earned his J.D. degree from the University of Pennsylvania Law School.[3]
Career
editAfter law school, Newman began working for the law firm Obermayer, Rebmann, Maxwell & Hippel.[3] Newman has a passion for horses and bought his first racehorse at the age of 29 for $47,000. He raced the horse nine times and won $120,000 in purses before selling the horse for $400,000.[4] He would later serve as the Chairman for the Pennsylvania Harness Racing Commission where he limited the use of whips in harness racing.[5] He entered politics in 1998 at the age of 35 when he challenged Jon D. Fox for his seat on the Pennsylvania House of Representatives,[6] losing in a four-way primary. He was approached in 1999 about joining the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board.[3]
Newman was appointed to the board by Tom Ridge in 2000.[3] He served on the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board for over seven years and became Chairman in August 2002.[7] He spent the first two years of his appointment learning about the state liquor system and wine.[3] During his time with the Board he implemented programs that helped Pennsylvania become a world-class purveyor in wines, including Sunday sales, wine festivals, and premium collection state stores.[8] One of the most known programs was the "Chairman's Selection" where he used the state's purchasing power to buy premium wines that were sold to the public at discount prices.[9][10] In 2003 he was named Man of the Year by Wine Enthusiast Magazine for his work at the board.[3]
He left the Liquor Control Board in 2007 and founded Newman Wines & Spirits.[7] The company purchases quality wines at a savings and sells them to retailers who pass the savings to customers.[11][12]
References
edit- ^ Brubaker, Harold (13 June 2016). "Spread the Wine". The Philadelphia Inquirer.
- ^ "News in Brief". The Legal Intelligencer. 26 June 2006.
- ^ a b c d e f Worden, Amy (15 January 2004). "Uncorking State Stores Potential". The Philadelphia Inquirer.
- ^ Searcy, Jay (30 December 1991). "Trotting Off To Riches With Backstreet Guys Brother". The Washington Post.
- ^ Gough, Paul J. (26 September 2014). "State limits use of whip in harness racing". Pennsylvania Business Journal.
- ^ Rothenberg, Stuart. "Rep Jon Fox Faces A One-Two Punch". CNN.
- ^ a b Cattabiani, Mario F. (4 January 2007). "State-store chief quits hollow job". The Philadelphia Inquirer.
- ^ Smerconish, Michael (5 June 2003). "The Savior of the State Stores". The Philadelphia Daily News.
- ^ May, Bruce (22 February 2004). "Chairman selects fine wine program". Pittsburge Post-Gazette.
- ^ Lear, Len (13 December 2013). "Wine expert opera singer is the grapest - A ray of sunshine at the State Store in Flourtown". Chestnut Local.
- ^ Ruth, Eric (1 May 2008). "Del, Pa immersed in feud and its fuled by alcohol". The News Journal.
- ^ LaBan, Craig (3 February 2008). "Not all are toasting changes uncorked by LCB". The Philadelphia Inquirer.