Early Life
William A. Goldring was born in New Orleans, Louisiana, and raised in a family with a strong work ethic. His grandfather, Newman Goldring, founded the Sazerac Company in 1898. Goldring graduated from Tulane University with a bachelor's degree in business.
Rise to Success
Goldring took over the family business in the 1960s. He is the Chairman of the Sazerac Company, one of the largest liquor distillers in the U.S. He expanded the business through strategic acquisitions, including Southern Comfort, Goldschlager, and Myers's Rum. In 2010, he sold the family's wholesaling operations. Sazerac's success is attributed to its diverse portfolio of over 500 brands and a dozen distilleries across the globe, including popular brands like Buffalo Trace Bourbon and Fireball Cinnamon Whisky.
Key Business Strategies
Goldring focused on building a diverse portfolio of brands, balancing premium offerings with more affordable options like Fireball Cinnamon Whisky. His acquisitions expanded Sazerac's brand portfolio, including purchases of Southern Comfort, Goldschlager, and Myers's Rum. In 1991, Goldring purchased the Buffalo Trace Distillery, which he renovated and renamed. Under Goldring's leadership, Sazerac has become one of the largest spirits companies in the United States.
Philanthropy
William Goldring is known for his extensive philanthropic efforts, primarily focused on the New Orleans area. Through the Goldring Family Foundation, he supports numerous causes, including education, arts, and Jewish community organizations. He has provided funding for the Tulane University's A. B. Freeman School of Business, the Goldring Tennis Center at Tulane, the Jewish Community Center in Metairie, the Holocaust Memorial in New Orleans, the Goldring/Woldenberg Institute of Southern Jewish Life in Jackson, Mississippi, and the restoration of Temple Sinai. His philanthropy has transformed the landscape of New Orleans.
