Schlafly Beer announced today the appointment of Fran Caradonna as its new CEO, with long-serving head brewer Emily Parker-Lampe appointed Chief of Brewery Operations.
Caradonna’s appointment comes six months after the resignation of her predecessor, James Pendegrast. Parker-Lampe served as interim CEO following Pendegrast’s departure.
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Caradonna joined Schlafly in March this year as Chief Financial Officer and Chief Administrative Officer. “It is an honor and a privilege to join the Schlafly team at this particular moment in the company’s life, especially given my own career history and experience,” she said in a press statement. “What an opportunity to work shoulder to shoulder with the people who have worked together to make Schlafly a great destination in our city, known to have the best beer scene in America!”
With 25 years of experience in the craft beer business behind her, including co-founding O’ Fallon Brewery and wholesaler The Signature Beer Company, Caradonna has impressed colleagues in the months since her initial appointment. “I’ve known Fran for as long as I’ve been in the beer business, and I have tremendous respect for her,” said Tom Schlafly, chairman of Schlafly’s board of directors. “I’m delighted to have someone with her experience and skills as CEO at this critical time for our company.”
Emily Parker-Lampe has progressed through the ranks at Schlafly in her nine years with the brewery. In addition to deputizing as interim CEO in recent months, Parker-Lampe has been Schlafly’s head of brewing for the past year and a half. In her new role, she’ll lead both Schlafly breweries and oversee all aspects of beer production and packaging at Schlafly. Vice Chairman David Schlafly said, “We are thankful for Emily’s service during this time of transition, and we’re excited to see how she leverages our brewing team’s talents in the future.”
“These appointments usher in a new energy for our brewery,” David Schlafly added. “The new leadership will encourage our brewers to showcase their artistry in new ways, offer new reasons to visit our brewpubs, and allow our team to continue to execute destination-worthy events for our city.”
Caradonna told St. Louis Magazine that after only three-and-a-half months with Schlafly, she’s “still figuring out where all the office supplies are,” but said her initial focus as CEO will be consolidating the brewery’s strengths. “I think we keep focusing on making great beer, and being a part of the community,” she said. “We keep doing what we’ve always done, and we find ways to do it better. At this stage of the game, it’s about making constant small improvements.”
As a leader, Caradonna said her role is to help a young, talented team grow and excel. “The team here is very young, dynamic and energetic. So exciting to be around,” she said. “The experience I have brings context. I am, by nature, a very curious person. I ask a lot of questions, so I can help them discern goals, and to help choose between one or two big goals, and have them to learn not to sweat the small stuff.”
