Brown-Forman Begins Leadership Transition as CEO Lawson Whiting Announces Retirement

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Brown-Forman CEO Lawson Whiting Announces Retirement After Nearly 3 Decades.

Brown-Forman Corporation has announced that President and Chief Executive Officer Lawson Whiting plans to retire following the appointment of his successor, ending a nearly 30-year career with one of the world’s leading spirits companies. The company’s Board of Directors has formally initiated a succession process that will evaluate both internal and external candidates while Whiting remains in his current role until a new CEO is selected.

Following the transition, Whiting will continue to serve in an advisory capacity for a period of time to help ensure business continuity and a smooth leadership handoff.

Board Launches CEO Succession Process

The CEO search will be led by Brown-Forman’s Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee, chaired by Tracy Skeans. The company emphasized that the succession process follows its established governance procedures and comes after Whiting provided ample notice of his retirement plans.

Marshall B. Farrer, Chairman of Brown-Forman, thanked Whiting for his decades of leadership.

“On behalf of the Board and the Brown family, I want to thank Lawson for his nearly 30 years of dedication to Brown-Forman,” Farrer said. “Lawson has been a steadfast steward of founder George Garvin Brown’s vision—leading this company through an era of macro challenges and change with a clear and consistent vision for building the most premium portfolio in the industry.”

Farrer added that Whiting’s early announcement allows the Board to conduct “a robust review of both internal and external talent” while maintaining focus on the company’s strategic priorities.

Whiting Oversaw Significant Growth Across Brown-Forman’s Whiskey Portfolio

Whiting became President and CEO in 2019 after serving in a variety of leadership positions throughout his career with Brown-Forman. During his tenure, the company continued expanding several of its flagship whiskey brands, including Jack Daniel’s, Woodford Reserve, and Old Forester.

According to Brown-Forman, Jack Daniel’s expanded into new international markets and product categories under Whiting’s leadership, while Woodford Reserve strengthened its position as a leading super-premium American whiskey. The company also noted that Old Forester tripled its sales volume and increased net sales six-fold over the past decade.

“It has been the privilege of a lifetime to lead Brown-Forman,” Whiting said. “From my earliest days with the company to my time as CEO, my tenure has been defined by the extraordinary people I have worked alongside. We are entering this transition from a position of strength.”

Brown Family Expresses Confidence in Company’s Future

Wolf Pen Branch, which represents the controlling interest in Brown-Forman, also expressed appreciation for Whiting’s leadership while voicing confidence in the company’s long-term outlook and the Board’s succession process.

The company reiterated its previously announced fiscal 2027 outlook, signaling confidence in its financial performance and strategic direction as the leadership transition moves forward.

With one of the most recognized portfolios in the global spirits industry, Brown-Forman enters the succession process at a pivotal time for the American whiskey business. The appointment of Whiting’s successor will be closely watched across the bourbon and whiskey industries as the company prepares for its next phase of growth.

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