John Ferolito

Co-founder of AriZona Beverage Company. Brooklyn-born beer salesman who partnered with Don Vultaggio to build a $2B-valued private corporation from a 1971 VW-bus beer-delivery business. Cautionary tale on co-founder drift and forced-buyout valuation disputes.

Co-founder of AriZona Beverage Company. A Brooklyn beer salesman who, with Don Vultaggio, grew a 1971 VW-bus beer-and-soda delivery route into a private corporation a New York court valued at $2B. After trying to sell his 50% stake from 2005, he was bought out under a court-ordered BCL §1118 valuation that settled in 2015 — then re-entered the category he built, financing premium-organic upstart Saint James Iced Tea in 2021 around 'health, wellness, and sustainability.' A study in co-founder drift, forced-buyout valuation, and second-act category re-entry.