An inspired culture created by family values
Sam Assaad
Sales
Craig Baker
Senior Vice President Sales
Craig, Senior Vice President Sales, has been with MISA since May 2015. While growing MISA's footprint across the east coast, he has also developed MISA's Craig Baker Selections Portfolio. Drawing upon his wealth of experience, he selects an exceptional range of artisan producers to showcase in the portfolio. This selection focuses on Burgundy and the Rhone Valley but also includes offerings from Champagne and Loire Valley. Craig has been involved in the wine industry since 1987 with positions in retail, wholesale, and winery work. He has been working with limited-production, family-run wineries since 1991, and he has been mentored by some of the top U.S. importers over the last quarter century. He has worked for national importers since 1997, working with iconic importers Robert Kacher, Frederick Wildman, and Fran Kysela. During his 17 years with Robert Kacher, he also worked very closely with the growers.
Rami Noaman
Senior Vice President Sales
Rami, Senior Vice President Sales, has been with MISA since February 2006. Rami started his career at MISA in the Dallas headquarters in sales and operations. Since then, he has expanded the business portfolio to include the California market which is where he resides today. Rami completed his BS in International Economics from Southern Methodist University.
Nagi Saikali
Senior Vice President Sales
Nagi, Senior Vice President Sales, has been with MISA since May 2015. His mission with all of MISA's sales team is to offer our producers’ “truffles” to the right customer and forging a lasting and balanced relationship with both, as they are part of MISA’s family too! Nagi is thrilled to lead a great team of gifted “entrepreneurs;” he sees that each one provides a unique contribution to the company and tremendous potential to grow. Passionate about food, travel and wine, Nagi spent an enriching 15 years in the Hotel and Restaurant industry with Intercontinental Hotels, Disney Resorts, Hyatt Hotels and Omni Hotels; in more than 10 countries. He then joined IXSIR, one of his family’s ventures in Lebanon, and spent 6 years developing it in more than 20 countries. As MISA became the top export customer of IXSIR, it turned out to be nothing less than a second home for him!
Gail Dino
Regional Vice President Sales
Gail, Vice President of National Sales, has been with MISA since June 2017. Her efforts are focused on developing the Spanish portfolio at MISA while expanding national reach and mentoring and developing the Sales & Marketing team. Gail is a wine industry veteran. She developed her wealth of knowledge and experience over a long career. For over 18 years she has worked for companies such as Prestige, Central Market, and Chalone; in wine sales, product placement, brand positioning, and national programs. Gail is passionate about what brings the best out of her; she doesn’t call work “work,” as doing what she loves most is her life’s passion!
Alan Unruh
Regional Vice President Sales
Alan, one of our Regional Vice Presidents of Sales, has been with MISA since March 2013. He has spent the past 20 years working in the wine import business. After beginning in restaurant management, Alan transitioned to wine distribution, fine wine retail and finally into wine imports with Stacole Fine Wines. He plans to nurture his career with MISA Imports from his Central Texas home which he shares with his wife Diana and his son Miles. Occasionally, you will find Alan on his mountain bike enjoying the great Texas outdoors.
Gene Joseph
Regional Vice President Sales
Gene, one of our Regional Vice Presidents of Sales, has been with MISA since 2013. He worked in the Retail wine and spirits industry for several years in the Houston and Katy, TX, area. After spending some time working in premise wines sales for a major distributor, he worked in wine and spirit sales for 2 small, family-owned distributors. In his free time, Gene enjoys to cook while entertaining friends, play golf, and hunt.
CloseBety Moran // Staff Accountant
Bety joined MISA in August 2010 and has witnessed MISA’s rapid growth first-hand. She has worked across many of MISA's department and currently is a key member of the Accounting team.
Prior to MISA, Bety worked for the City of Hurst, and before that was busy raising her three kids along with her high-school sweetheart and husband Robert.
Executive Team
Oubada Duwaji
Chief Executive Officer
Oubada, Chief Executive Officer, has been with MISA since March 2016.
Oubada is also the Founder of ENANNA Equity Partners, a family office Investment Management Company. In this role, he served as the lead business advisor to the Assaad Family. Prior to joining MISA, he co-founded BlackBarrel Capital, a Dubai based investment firm focused on alternative investments. He also held leadership positions with SHUAA Capital and the ABRAAJ Group, the largest Private Equity Firm in the MENA region. He started his career in Dallas, TX, working with JP Morgan Chase, Lehman Brothers, and Salomon Smith Barney.
Oubada has a B.B.A in Finance from the University of Texas and is undergoing an EMBA at Harvard Business School.
Matt Mize
Chief Operating Officer
Matt, our COO, has been with MISA since January 2018. His desire is to help build a lasting foundation at MISA that will sustain the company long into the future. He believes that prosperity for MISA, our suppliers and our customers will come through hard work, focus and superior customer service.
Matt joined MISA following 14 years of experience from Costco Wholesale in a variety of roles including Corporate Buyer for Beer, Wine and Spirits.
Matt graduated from Eastern Washington University in 2003 with a B.A. in English.
Management
Dennis Graf
Accounting Director
Dennis joined MISA in November 2013 as Controller, bringing over 35 years of accounting experience with him. He is a licensed CPA in the State of Texas, having received his BA in Accounting from San Diego State University and his MBA in Finance from the University of Dallas. When not crunching numbers, Dennis enjoys spending time with his wife Anne and his three sons.
Sammer Arnouk
Affiliate Director
Sammer Arnouk
Sammer, Affiliates Director, has been with MISA since October 2012. He in charge of about everything at MISA, from managing the relationship with affiliate partners, overseeing operations at MISA's Dallas headquarters, to managing the Information Technology infrastructure. He brings with him over 25 years of experience in Information Technology. Born in Syria, Sammer moved to New York to complete his studies and later relocated to Texas, where he spent 11 years with Quintana Mineral Corporation in Houston as an IT Director. Sammer lives in Plano with his wife of 25 years, Nicole, and their sons, David and Daniel. Sammer received both his B.Sc. in Computer Science as well as his M.Sc. in Management Engineering from Long Island University.
Graciela Lobo
Logistics Director
Graciela, our Director of Logistics and Transportation, has been with MISA since March 2016. Coupled with her foundations in Hospitality and the Travel Industry, she believes a focus on empathy and communication strengthens any team and collaboration. She brings 12 years of experience in Supply Chain Management (CSCP Certified), as well as a deep love of problem solving, strategy execution, and mentoring. Her most recent experience includes companies such as Michael’s Stores, Tandy Brands & Accessories, and Zale Jewelers. Graciela began her journey at MISA after having lived in Louisiana for 6 years and weathering the storm there. Texas has become the perfect place to lay down new roots, though she brought her love of jazz music and Cajun cuisine. Graciela has an Associate Degree in Project Management, and received her Bachelor of Science in Business Management from Texas A&M Commerce.
Katie Drew
Distribution & Planning Director
Katie, our Director of Distribution & Planning, has been with MISA since June 2010! Katie started supporting MISA using her expertise in graphic design. Since then she has developed the MISA Network of Distributors across the United States. Katie received a Bachelors in Fine Arts from Texas Christian University. Katie lives in Fort Worth with her husband, enjoys running and monthly reading club.
Elisa Ballard
Marketing Director
Elisa, our Marketing Director, has been with MISA since March 2017! Her day is filled working with producers on the latest sourced item, educating the staff and customers on MISA’s portfolio, and creating marketing initiatives for customers to promote MISA’s inventory. Prior to MISA, Elisa worked in Strategy and Research at Starcom for Kraft and Microsoft. She worked in Fine Dining and Activities for Vail Resorts and then returned to her hometown of Dallas, TX, to offer marketing and media consulting to international and local businesses based in DFW - rewardStyle, Stocks & Bondy and DWELR. Elisa received her MBA in Marketing and Finance and BA in Management and Economics from the University of Denver.
Paul Lawyer
Warehouse Manager
Paul, our Warehouse Manager, has been with MISA since August 2012! He spent his first 32 years of work experience in the Magazine Distribution industry. He started as a delivery driver in Dallas, TX, and finished as the Operations Manager distributing over 1,700,000 copies of magazines per week to 4 states. He oversaw 126 warehouses, 18 office staff, and their supervisors and managers. With the fragmentation of the print business due to the internet , Paul spent a relaxing year managing restaurants for a longtime friend. Paul is married to his best friend, Joan. They take at least 2 trips a year to a beach with crystal blue water, and they love to bring their 2 boys, Maston and John, with them anytime the young men can free up their schedule. Paul’s heart’s desire is to serve at his church and to help as many people as he can. He is also involved with Hope Kids and Operation Touching Lives.
Tina Boyle
General Manager California
Tina, our General Manager California, has been with MISA since January 2017. We are fortunate to have found a partner with her wealth of knowledge, dedication, and experience! She acquired extensive experience and depth during her 22 years of Buying experience and 6 years of operations working with Costco Wholesale.
The MISA Family
Want to join the ride? MISA is always looking for motivated people to join our team. Check out open positions and say hello!