Jerry Clemens - Founder
Jerry Clemens is the visionary and the engine behind Chieftain Distribution, which he founded in 2015 after more than thirty years of success in other businesses. The name, Chieftain, is a nod to both his Ponca and Irish heritage, while the product, fine wine and spirits, is the culmination of a lifelong passion for the finer things in life. A resident of Scottsbluff, Nebraska, Jerry is a committed husband and a devoted father.
jerry@chieftaindistribution.com
Mark Gudgel
Mark was almost exclusively a Belgian Trappist beer snob until he fell in love with Sonja, and they honeymooned in Napa in Sonoma where he fell in love a second time with wine. Though he still enjoys a good quad, Mark is credentialed through the Wine and Spirit Education Trust (WSET), and brings his passion for small family-owned wineries to Chieftain. He hopes that his love of fine wine and respect for the people who produce it can be a benefit not only to small producers but also to his beloved home state of Nebraska.
mark@chieftaindistribution.com
Sonja Gudgel
Sonja developed a true appreciation for wine during she and Mark's honeymoon to Napa and Sonoma, CA. With a background in instructional design, Sonja lends her technical expertise to Chieftain in the form of website design and social media management.
sonja@chieftaindistribution.com
Alicia Victora - Account Manager
Alicia has a true passion for providing others with exceptional experiences filled with quality products, education and entertainment. With a long term career with brand management, training, sales and marketing experience she is thrilled to be back in the wine and spirits industry with the Chieftain Family. She is honored to be loving what she does best and be a valuable resource for the community with her expertise and enthusiasm.
alicia@chieftaindistribution.com
Patrick Wieczorek - Account Manager
A perpetual learner by nature, Patrick Wieczorek first adopted a fascination
for wines and other spirits while he was on track toward his degree in St. Louis. He
hasn’t rested that fervor for almost 5 years. As an Omaha native, Patrick would like
to see the wine selection in the state of Nebraska someday be more varied and
approachable. He aims to accomplish that one bottle at a time.
patrick@cheiftaindistribution.com