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The deputy director of the Utah Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control — architect of a controversial new liquor ordering and distribution system — will retire at the end of August.
Tom Zdunich is leaving the DABC after 20 years, said department spokeswoman Vickie Ashby.
His retirement comes amid complaints by DABC employees and customers who argued the centralized ordering system — and the heavy-handed way it was implemented — increased employee workload and caused stores to run out of popular items.
In July, as employee criticism mounted, Gov. Gary Herbert's office launched a 90-day review of state liquor store operations. An out-of-state consultant, with expertise in retail operations, is looking at — among other items — the DABC's liquor supply and inventory management program.
DABC officials say the complaints and review had nothing to do with Zdunich's decision to retire.
"He was not forced to leave," Ashby said. "It was his decision. He is well over retirement age and has decided to enjoy his retirement."
No decision has been made about who will replace him, she said.
Zdunich worked many years as a DABC compliance officer and purchasing agent before being named deputy director in 2011 by then-director Francine Giani. He remained in the position when Sal Petilos was hired to lead the department.
As the second in command, Zdunich oversees much of the day-to-day operations of the department. According to Utah's Right website, his annual salary is more than $80,000 plus benefits.
Through the years, Zdunich had gathered critics who say it was time for him to leave.
"He was the wrong kind of person to be in charge," said Brett Clifford, who had been the state wine coordinator for 37 years before leaving abruptly in 2012. In his resignation letter, he called out top officials including Zdunich for an alleged plan to cut the number of top-quality wines sold in Utah — something employees and customers say has come to pass under the new ordering system.
Clifford said he sees Zdunich's departure as a "positive first step" in solving some of the problems that have plagued the agency. "Good luck to him and good luck to the agency moving forward," he said.