ATCHISON, KAS. — James L. Bareuther has agreed to join the board of directors of MGP Ingredients Inc. if elected by the company’s common shareholders at the annual shareholders meeting May 19.

Mr. Bareuther was chief operating officer of Brown-Forman Corp. from 2003 until his retirement in 2010. At Brown-Forman, he was responsible for the company’s spirits and wine business in more than 140 countries across the globe.

Prior to joining Brown-Forman as director of U.S. sales in 1994, Mr. Bareuther was executive vice-president of sales and marketing for the Seagram Classics Wine Co. in New York and California. He previously worked for Beringer Vineyards in Napa Valley, Calif. He is a former three-term chairman of the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States, a national trade association based in Washington.

He has served as a director of First Beverage Group since 2012 and as chairman of its board of directors since April 2014. Additionally, Mr. Bareuther has served on the boards of directors of Luna Winery since 2013 and Windy Hill Spirits since 2012.

“We are extremely pleased and honored to gain the vast experience and industry knowledge that Jim Bareuther will bring to the MGP board of directors,” said Gus Griffin, president and chief executive officer of MGPI. “His wisdom, expertise and insights will be an invaluable resource in helping guide the evolution and expansion of our Distillery Products business segment.”