Heaven Hill Distilleries

George Garvin Brown, a pharmaceuticals salesman in Louisville, Ky., founded Brown-Forman Corporation in 1870. He had the then-novel idea of selling top-grade whiskey in sealed glass bottles. Brown-Forman Corporation, one of the largest American-owned companies in the wine and spirits business, is a diversified producer and marketer of consumer products. Through Brown-Forman Beverages Worldwide, Brown-Forman produces and markets many of the most well known wines and spirits in the world, including Jack Daniel's, Canadian Mist, Southern Comfort, Early Times, Finlandia Vodka, Fetzer and Bolla Wines and Korbel California Champagnes. Paul C. Varga has been the chief executive officer of Brown-Forman for more than one year. He has been with the food, beverage and tobacco products company for over 19 years. Varga earned a MBA degree from Purdue University. The company acquired Hartmann Luggage in 1983. It manufactures luggage, business cases and personal leather accessories.