Bareuther is responsible for the day-to-day operations of Brown-Forman's spirits and wine business across the globe. Prior to joining Brown-Forman in 1994 as director of sales, Bareuther was executive vice president of sales and marketing for the Seagram Classics Wine Company in New York and California. He previously worked for Beringer Vineyards, a leading wine firm in Napa Valley, California. Bareuther earned a bachelor's degree from San Jose State College in 1967 and served as a naval flight officer in the United States Navy from 1968-1973. Bareuther is a past Chairman and currently serves on the board of the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States (DISCUS), a national trade association based in Washington, D.C., representing producers and marketers of distilled spirits sold in the United States. He is also a past chairman and currently serves on the board of The Century Council, an organization funded by the nation's leading distillers that develops, executes, and finances programs designed to fight underage drinking and drunk driving. A native of California, Jim and his wife reside in Louisville, Kentucky. Bareuther serves on the Board of Overseers of the University of Louisville and the Board of Advisors of the College of Business and Public Administration at the University of Louisville.