Bio
Wayne E. Chaplin serves as President and Chief Executive Officer of Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits, the world’s pre-eminent distributor of beverage alcohol and a multi-generational, family-owned company. He was named to this role in January 2016.
Chaplin was born in Brooklyn, New York in 1956. After graduating Magna Cum Laude from the University of Miami with a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, he received a Juris Doctor (J.D) law degree from the same institution. As he prepared himself for a future leadership role in the company, Chaplin quickly learned the importance of customer sales and service excellence in his early years at Southern. Chaplin went on to serve in various roles including sales supervisor, company comptroller, and operations manager. From this experience, he believes Southern Glazer’s goals must be closely tied to its suppliers’ goals and customers’ needs.
Beyond his day-to-day corporate responsibilities, Chaplin is very active in overseeing the wide range of national, state and local charitable causes the company supports.
In addition to his corporate-related philanthropic activities, Chaplin is an active supporter of numerous community-focused organizations and holds several leadership and board positions. He currently serves as Vice Chair of the Board and Member of the Executive Committee at the University of Miami. Chaplin also served as Chairman of the Board for Mount Sinai Medical Center in Miami Beach from 2012 – 2018 and currently serves as a Board of Trustee member for the institution.
Chaplin has also demonstrated a deep and ongoing commitment to the Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism Management at Florida International University (FIU). Through his leadership, advocacy, and philanthropic support—including helping grow the Food Network South Beach Wine & Food Festival presented by Capital One (SOBEWFF®) into a nationally recognized event that has raised nearly $50 million for the school—he has played a key role in advancing its academic excellence and global reputation.