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JOHN RYDMAN
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PRESIDENT / OWNER
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LINDY RYDMAN
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SECOND GENERATION FAMILY OWNER
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LISA RYDMAN KEY
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KEY ADVERTISING & MGMT GROUP
I AM PROUD TO BE THE THIRD GENERATION TO THE SPEC'S FAMILY. MY FOCUS IS TO FIND THE BEST ADVERTISING VENUES FOR SPEC'S AS WELL AS FURTHER THE CHARITABLE GIVING OF THE COMPANY.
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HERMEN KEY
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Vice President Operations
I have been in the wine business since I was a junior at Texas Tech University in 1991. Here in Houston with Spec's I have had the opportunity to travel and taste in Bordeaux and Burgundy with Bear Dalton. I have also toured several wine regions in Spain. With Spec's, I visit all of our locations ensuring we have the best selection and variety. If you have any questions about French, Spanish, and of course California wines, let me know and I will get the answer.
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MIKE SANFORD
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VP Construction and Development
Mike has been in the industry since 1985. His specialty is spirits of all types, but particularly scotch, brandies, cognacs and armagnacs, and liqueurs. We call Mike Mr. Answer Man because of his depth of knowledge and his ability to find out answers in the rare event he doesn't know something!
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Buzz Wilson
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Director of Operations, Central Texas
I am based out of Austin and I am here for any questions you have about any of our stores in Central Texas. This includes all stores from Bryan/College Station, Waco, throughout Austin, San Antonio and down to Corpus Christi.
We love to hear from you.
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Dimitra Kriticos
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Director of Kitchen Operations
After years of cooking in restaurants and most recently as a culinary instructor I have joined the SPEC'S team to oversee all the fabulous food made in our delis. Visit our kitchens across the state and meet our chefs. We look forward to feeding you!
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BEAR DALTON
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WINE MANAGER
I've been in the wine business for over 20 years working in restaurants, as a wholesale salesman and manager, as a supplier, and in retail. I've been SPEC's wine manager since 1996. I am responsible for buying wine for SPEC's stores and marketing that wine to our customers. My duties have taken me to wine regions all over the world. I have regularly travel to Bordeaux, Burgundy, and California and in the last few years have traveled extensively in the wine growing areas of the Rhone, the Loire, the South of France, Spain, Australia, and Chile. I occasionally take groups of SPEC's customers on tours of wine growing areas. I write SPEC's UPDATE and am responsible much of the content of specsonline.com. I select and write up the monthly SPEC's Twelve-Under-$12. I also write for My Table magazine and teach wine classes for the Rice University School of Continuing Studies and for l'Alliance Francaise and SPEC's/The Wine School. While my duties keep me hopping, I'm never too busy to answer a question or help a customer.
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BILL COATES
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WINE CONSULTANT
I've been involved in the wine and spirits business since I worked my way through college working at Pinkies in West Texas. I had such a good time that when I graduated I had no choice but to stay in this business. I worked as a salesman for Estrada's Wine and Spirits in the wholesale buisness. I became a branch manager for the Estradas' in San Antonio. I have called on just about every liquor store in the state at one time or another. Working for Estrada's allowed me to be exposed to every off the wall wine, beer or liquor out there. I came to Spec's in 1990 as a wine consultant. I have tried to sharpen my skills and knowledge in all phases of our business. I am the person to come to if you have a question that someone has trouble answering. Something like, "Do you have Sante Gold?" or "What about Corton Grancy". I believe in getting the customer what he wants, making him aware of what we have, and doing it in a timely fashion. I conduct wine tastings and speak to groups about wine and spirits. I have great product knowledge and excellent research skills, so please ask me any question and I will get you an answer.
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BELINDA MCDONALD
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ORDER SPECIALIST
I can help you with planning, creating anything for any occasion, or just making sure your order just the way you want it. I'll handle your order quickly and professionally and with no hassles.
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RYAN HOLDER
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CIGARMAN
Ryan has been in the cigar industry for over ten years. He has traveled extensively in the Carribean, Central and South America learning about cigars and their production. He is the best person to ask questions regarding tobacco products, humidors and all the things cigar lovers like.
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Collin Williams
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Junior Wine Buyer / Spanish Wine Category Manager
My love for the wine industry began at the University of Houston. There, I earned a Certification in Commercial Beverage Management and a Bachelors of Science in Hospitality Management before advancing my knowledge through the Court of Master Sommeliers and the International Sommelier Guild. I've been privileged to study under the tutelage of many of the top professionals in the business including our very own Bear Dalton. It is my goal to share the knowledge and passion I have for wine to every customer in order to create a better understanding and appreciation.
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Jim Cubberley
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I have been involved in the wine business in Austin for over 16 years, in retail, wholesale, and restaurants. Far and away my passion lies with one on one customer service. I also teach classes in wine appreciation in which I do my best to relay fundamental knowledge and passion about the wine experience. I believe we never stop learning about wine and that is what makes it so fun. I love good wine but my expertise is in Italian, Cabernet Sauvignon and Zinfandel. Working at Specs gives me the best access to the best variety at great pricing making it a true wine lovers delight.
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Jim Detmore
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In the beverage alcohol business for over 35 years, I have extensive experience and knowledge about scotch, bourbon, gin, vodka, liqueurs, tequila, cognac and brandies. As the liquor buyer for Spec's it is my responsibility to seek out new brands and make sure Spec's has the most varied, extensive selection available.
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Jody Detmore
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Real Estate Manager
As Real Estate Manager, I manage our extensive lease portfolio of over a million square feet and act as a liaison to property managers and landlords. I also am the point of contact for new site selection for real estate brokers or building owners that are interested in bringing a Spec's store to their shopping center. I am a licensed Real Estate Broker and hold the Certified Property Manager designation through the Institute of Real Estate Management.
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Justin Cody
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Beer Category Manager
My responsibility is to ensure that our stores are kept up to date and stocked with the beers our customers are looking for. Forecasting emerging trends, product distribution and chain-wide programs are also some of my duties. My specialty is craft and micros but I can help you find any beer that is available in Texas. If there is anything I can do for you please do not hesitate to email me.
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LUCIANO ORELLANA
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WINE ASSOCIATE
Hola. My native country is beautiful El Salvador, but my home has been Houston and Spec's since 1985. I'm an expert in vino and have travelled all over Europe, South America and California. Over my many years in the wine business I have acquired customers from all over the world. So no matter who you are or where you're from, feel free to ask me any questions about wine that you'd like. Maybe we can discuss it over a glass of merlot! Se hable espanol.
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OSCAR SICOLA
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BEER GUY
Oscar Sicola was born and reared in Houston making him truly a rare breed. Starting in the beverage alcohol business in 1975, Oscar was in the wholesale distribution side of the business before moving to the retail tier in 1988. Oscar is a specialist in beers and ales. He is responsible for that category in all Spec's stores,
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Pablo Valqui
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Latin Foods Manager
How does a Political Scientist discover a passion for food brings him from as far as Bonn, Germany to Houston, Texas? By travelling in and eating foods from Europe, Latin America, Asia, Middle East and the US! This has proven to be a good way to learn about food and drink from around the world. To provide Spec's customers a similar opportunity I bring in new product lines from Latin America, Europe and the rest of the world. I can be found on the sales floor with samples, making suggestions and providing information. If you have a question or are in search of a particular food please email and I will find the answer or food item from our vendors and if the food item is not available suggest a substitute.
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SCOTT CHANIN
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WINE ASSOCIATE
I've been in the wine business since I was a kid, working in my father's store in Macon, Georgia. When I moved to Texas, I worked for Glazer's Distributors, where I received further exposure to wines. Whether in retail or wholesale, I learned to listen to my customers and I took great pride in satisfying their needs. Now that I'm at Spec's, I am travelling all over the world to learn even more about wines so that I may help our customers even more. I encourage you to look me up the next time you're at Spec's.
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Dave Nissman
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Web Master
Please feel free to email me with any problems, comments or suggestions regarding this web site.
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