Brown-Forman CEO Lawson Whiting to retire after nearly 30 years

Brown-Forman Corporation (NYSE: BF-A, BF-B) announced that President and Chief Executive Officer Lawson Whiting will retire, effective upon the appointment of a successor.

The company's Board of Directors has initiated a search process that will consider both internal and external candidates. The process will be led by the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee, chaired by Tracy Skeans. Whiting will remain available in an advisory capacity following the appointment of a successor to support the transition.

Whiting joined Brown-Forman nearly 30 years ago and has served as CEO for several years. Board Chairman Marshall B. Farrer credited Whiting's tenure with expanding Jack Daniel's into new international markets, growing Woodford Reserve into what the company describes as the world's leading super-premium American whiskey, and tripling Old Forester's volume while increasing its net sales six-fold over the last decade.

"It has been the privilege of a lifetime to lead Brown-Forman," Whiting said in the statement. "We are entering this transition from a position of strength."

Wolf Pen Branch, which holds a controlling interest in Brown-Forman, expressed confidence in the board's search process and the company's financial position.

Brown-Forman also reiterated its fiscal 2027 outlook, as previously disclosed on June 4, 2026.

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