Retail | Wholesale | Food | Beverage 2025: DALE FARINO

A former board vice chair, Farino was named CEO of Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority in April 2024, succeeding Travis Hill, who led the agency for nearly a decade.

Farino was executive vice president of Sandston-based Breakthru Beverage Virginia and previously worked at Tidewater Wholesalers and Coca-Cola Bottling. He also was president of the Virginia Wine Wholesalers Association from 2019 to 2023.

Virginia ABC, which reported nearly $1.5 billion in revenue for fiscal 2024, transitioned from a state department to a semi-independent authority in 2018.

Virginia ABC was a launch market for Fireball Blazin’ Apple Whisky, making Virginia one of the first three states to offer the new product. The commonwealth’s first boxes of the spirit arrived in December 2024.

Farino is a graduate of the University of Richmond and was an artillery officer in the Marine Corps.

INTERESTING PLACE I’VE TRAVELED: Earlier in my U.S. Marine Corps career, I had an opportunity to travel to Toulon, France, and work with the French Marine Corps.

ADVICE FOR NEW COLLEGE GRADS: Remain open to new experiences, opportunities and suggestions. Open minds lead to open doors.

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