ORANGE COUNTY

Wisdom Import Sales Co. Inc., the Irvine-based beer importing and marketing company, said it has appointed Manuel Rubiralta as its new president. He succeeds Frank Wisdom, who remains as chairman of the board.

Rubiralta was previously with Colgate/Palmolive, variously serving as vice president of marketing in Mexico City, group product manager in New York City and general manager of the company’s distribution plant in Puerto Rico.

He later moved to Cerveceria Cuauhtemoc, S.A. in Monterrey, Mexico. He served in a number of positions during his nine years there and ultimately rose to the position of vice president of sales and marketing.

In June, 1985, he joined Wisdom Import as executive vice president, a position he held until his promotion to the presidency.