Stephen Waddell

Georgia Crown Distributing Co

Founded in August 1938 by the late Fate D. Leebern, Georgia Crown Distributing Company is a family-owned business. First known as Columbus Wine Company Distributors, the company unloaded the first carload of legal liquor in Columbus following the end of Prohibition. Four generations of Leeberns have formed the leadership of Georgia Crown: Fate D. Leebern, Donald Leebern, Sr., Donald M. Leebern, Jr. and Don Leebern III. Following the death of Fate D. Leebern in 1946, Donald Leebern, Sr. took command until 1957 when Donald M. Leebern, Jr. took over. In September 1987, the fourth generation, Don Leebern III joined the company. Don Leebern III is the current President of Georgia Crown and Don Leebern, Jr. is the CEO. Georgia Crown Distributing Co. is a full service beverage distributor with wholesale operations in Alabama, Georgia and Tennessee, selling imported and domestic spirits, wines, beers and specialty products. In 1990, Georgia Crown entered the home and office bottled water business with its new division, Poland Spring Water Distributing Company. One year later, it opened its first bottling plant that produced bottled water from its spring in Dahlonega, Georgia. The home and office water division is now named Melwood Springs, with the bottling facility located in Blue Ridge, Georgia. Georgia Crown's corporate office is located in McDonough, Georgia, centralizing all corporate sales direction, administration, information systems and accounting functions. Centralization of these functions has proven beneficial both to Georgia Crown, its suppliers and customers. For almost 80 years, Georgia Crown has been growing, changing and diversifying. Georgia Crown is rooted in the past, with a bright and challenging vision for the future.