News

Red Diamond is Always Ready to Give Back!

Here at Red Diamond, we believe that the reason for the season is creating kindness in our community. That’s why we partnered with the Salvation Army and WBRC to support the “Gifts for Kids Angel Tree” program in Birmingham. The program was designed to donate Christmas gifts to foster children and children in need during the holiday season. We showed up and gave FREE Red Diamond coffee & tea to everyone who showed up to support this wonderful cause. In total 1,320 families and nearly 3,500 angels were adopted this year. It shaped up to be one WBRC’s biggest years!

Red Diamond Give Back Day

On August 22nd, 2023, 125 Red Diamond employees across 14 states volunteered in their communities for Red Diamond Giveback Day. Whether it is through environmental, social, or economic initiatives, we are committed to improving the quality of life and opportunities for our communities.

Joe George wins the “Musso Award”, the highest award that Red Diamond Offers

For his exemplary service to the company, Joe George has been awarded the Jo Ann Musso Award, the highest award available to Red Diamond employees! Joe has worked for Red Diamond for over 38 years. He started as a Plant Helper and was promoted to Machine Maintenance, Plant Maintenance Supervisor, and eventually Senior Vice President of Manufacturing. Over that time, Joe has leveraged his knowledge of machine maintenance and the Red Diamond manufacturing process and products to exceed the goals of the company repeatedly. This includes leading the assembly of each of the machines in Red Diamond’s new manufacturing plant in 2008 as well as leading production through the Covid 19 pandemic and subsequent labor shortage resulting in nearly 100% fulfillment of all orders.

Tom Ruszkowski promoted to Executive Vice President Strategic Oversight

Tom joined Red Diamond on December 1, 2005 in the role of General Manager of the Foodservice Division. In that role he managed all sales and operations for Red Diamond Foodservice. In 2013, Tom led the effort to consolidate several functional areas under the Wholesale Distribution Division including distributor sales, private label, national accounts, Red Diamond Coffee Service, and Red Diamond Foodservice. In 2017, he served as a key leader in the sale of Red Diamond Foodservice to Gordon Food Service returning the division’s focus to Wholesale Distribution of coffee, tea and allied products through foodservice distribution companies, national c-store chain accounts, and the Legacy coffee service. Since that time, Tom has focused his efforts on growing that division. In his new position, Tom will utilize his vast experience to help expand the company’s sales efforts within major accounts, strategic development of new and existing business channels, and implementation of manufacturing efficiencies. He will report to the President.

Prior to joining Red Diamond, Tom spent 13 years with Clark Foodservice culminating in the role of Division President for the Chicago, IL and South Bend, IN broadline divisions. Previously, he spent two years at Rykoff-Sexton as President – Atlanta Division and General Manager – Orlando Division, 5 years as President/CEO of Bishop Epicure Food Companies, Inc./Ruszkowski & Company, Inc., and three years with Atlanta Provision Company as EVP and Chief Operating Officer. Tom is a graduate of Hanover College with a Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics.

Emily Wood Bowron promoted to Senior Vice President Strategic Marketing

Emily Wood directs all Marketing activities for Red Diamond including leading and managing the development, design, and execution of marketing strategies which improve the value and perception of the brand. She collaborates with Wholesale and Retail Distribution Divisions to identify new product and line opportunities and leads the execution of new product development and sales launches. In addition, Emily Wood leverages existing business relationships and develops new ones to continue to showcase the Company’s overall brand leadership and industry expertise. Emily Wood has built a team of marketing professionals and leads them to grow the Red Diamond brand nationally across industry channels with responsibility for innovation and product development, media placement and public relations, point of sale materials, and corporate events. Emily Wood joined Red Diamond in May 2015 as Director of Strategic Marketing. She was promoted to Assistant Vice President Strategic Marketing in March 2018 and Vice President Strategic Marketing in April 2020.

Prior to joining Red Diamond, Emily Wood worked with AON Hewitt as an Associate Consultant. In that role, she was responsible for developing, executing and communicating strategies for Fortune 500 clients regarding corporate benefit programs and client internal initiatives related to wellness, retirement, and corporate change. Previously, Emily Wood worked for Neiman Marcus in two different roles. First, she was an Assistant Buyer for Neiman Marcus in Dallas, Texas where she analyzed product selection and refined demographic allocation utilizing statistics to formulate actionable strategies. After two years, she was promoted to a Department Manager role in White Plains, New York where she developed training and motivational techniques to promote sales team strategies designed to exceed sales plans. Emily Wood is a 2010 Phi Beta Kappa graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a double major in English and Dramatic Arts. In 2019, Emily Wood served as President of the Southern Coffee Association. She continues to report to the President of the company.

Red Diamond^® Introduces Sweet Tea & Lemonade

Red Diamond® Coffee & Tea is expanding its ready-to-serve iced tea line with the launch of their new Sweet Tea & Lemonade. Made with just tea, water, sugar and real lemon juice, the new product follows Red Diamond’s unwavering commitment to quality and freshness. Sweet Tea & Lemonade is a ready-to-serve, gallon-sized iced tea that is now available at select Kroger grocery stores in Texas and Louisiana as well as Dillons food stores in Kansas, Nebraska and Missouri. Additional markets and retail availability will be added in the future.

Red Diamond^® CEO Elected to Lead the Tea Association of the United States

Red Diamond® President & CEO Bill Bowron has been elected as Chairman of the Tea Association of the United States. Formed in 1899, the Tea Association acts as the official voice of the tea industry. Their primary activities include providing the tea industry with political representation, legal aid and educational resources. Bowron carries on a rich, 5-generation Red Diamond family legacy of leading the tea industry forward. His father — William A. Bowron Sr. — also previously served on the Tea Association as a board member.

The Red Diamond^®TEA EXPRESS IS READY TO ROLL OUT!

With approximately 550 animals from 195 different species, it is no wonder why the Birmingham Zoo claims the top spot in Alabama attraction. Pairing up with its sister train, “Coffee Express”, The new train, “Tea Express”, will bring incredible technological and educational advances to the Birmingham Zoo’s offerings for guests of all ages. The Red Diamond Express is the ideal way for visitors to see the sights and a sounds of one Alabama’s most popular attractions.