Boulder, Colorado — The Brewers Association (BA)—the not-for-profit trade association dedicated to small and independent American brewers—announced its 2019 board of directors, adding three new representatives to the 19-person board.
Eric Wallace, co-founder and president, Left Hand Brewing Co. (Longmont, Colo.), continues as board chair for a second term. He has served on the board in various capacities since 2011.
Newly elected brewpub representative Leah Cheston, co-owner of Right Proper Brewing Co. (Washington, D.C.), joins re-elected packaging brewery representatives Leslie Henderson of Lazy Magnolia Brewing Co. (Kiln, Miss.), and Garrett Marrero of Maui Brewing Co. (Kihei, Hawaii).
New board member Jill Marilley was appointed by the American Homebrewers Association (AHA) governing committee to fill the second of two AHA board seats, vacated by term-limited director Chris Frey. New board member Kevin Blodger, co-founder and head brewer at Union Craft Brewing (Baltimore, Md.) and Larry Chase (brewery in planning) were appointed by the BA board of directors as at-large representatives. They replace outgoing board members Jim Koch (Boston Beer Co.) and Tom McCormick (California Craft Brewers Association).
“These are exciting and evolving times for craft brewers,” said Wallace. “Our job as board members is to ensure we’re recognizing the opportunities and tackling the challenges facing the industry with a strategic and unified voice. Each of us is honored to serve this community we’re so proud to be a part of and look forward to working on behalf of our members to provide them with the tools they need to succeed.”
The 2019 Brewers Association Board of Directors is made up of the following members:
(*indicates new to board in 2019)
Executive Committee
Chair – Eric Wallace, Left Hand Brewing Co., Longmont, Colo.
Vice Chair – Dan Kleban, Maine Beer Co., Freeport, Maine
Secretary/Treasurer – Larry Chase, Brewery in Planning, Talent, Ore.
Past Chair – Rob Tod, Allagash Brewing Co., Portland, Maine
Brewers Association President & CEO – Bob Pease
American Homebrewers Association Representative Board Members
*Jill Marilley, Everett, Wash.
Roxanne Westendorf, Cincinnati, Ohio
At-Large Board Members
*Kevin Blodger, Union Craft Brewing, Baltimore, Md.
Larry Chase, Brewery in Planning, Talent, Ore.
Larry Horwitz, unaffiliated, Columbus, Ohio
Jose Mallea, Biscayne Bay Brewing Co., Miami, Fla.
Brewpub Representative Board Members
Tim Brady, Whetstone Station Restaurant & Brewery, Brattleboro, Vt.
Sean Casey, Church Brew Works, Pittsburgh, Pa.
*Leah Cheston, Right Proper Brewing Co., Washington, D.C.
Cyrena Nouzille, Ladyface Ale Companie, Agoura Hills, Calif.
Julie Verratti, Denizens Brewing Co., Silver Springs, Md.
Packaging Brewery Representative Board Members
Leslie Henderson, Lazy Magnolia Brewing Co., Kiln, Miss.
Steve Hindy, Brooklyn Brewery, Brooklyn, N.Y.
Dan Kleban, Maine Beer Co., Freeport, Maine
John Mallett, Bell’s Brewery, Inc., Galesburg, Mich.
Garrett Marrero, Maui Brewing Co., Kihei, Hawaii
Wynne Odell, Odell Brewing Co., Fort Collins, Colo.
Rob Tod, Allagash Brewing Co., Portland, Maine
Eric Wallace, Left Hand Brewing Co., Longmont, Colo.
Committee Chairs
AHA Governing – Roxanne Westendorf
Brewpub – Cyrena Nouzille
Diversity – Julie Verratti
Events – Leslie Henderson
Executive – Eric Wallace
Finance – Larry Chase
Governance – Wynne Odell
Government Affairs – Dan Kleban
Market Development – Garrett Marrero
Public Relations & Marketing – Steve Hindy
Technical – John Mallett
“From regional craft brewers to two-barrel taprooms and everything in between, our members run the gamut in terms of size, scale, and business model,” said Bob Pease, president & CEO, Brewers Association. “The board reflects the breadth and evolving landscape of our membership and is here to ensure we’re meeting the needs of the craft brewing community. I look forward to working alongside both new and longstanding board members to achieve our objectives and priorities.”
The board of directors guides the strategic direction of the BA and governs the activities of the professional division of the BA, as well as the American Homebrewers Association, Brewers Publications and BA events including the Great American Beer Festival®, Craft Brewers Conference® & BrewExpo America® and SAVOR™: An American Craft Beer & Food Experience.
About the Brewers Association
The Brewers Association (BA) is the not-for-profit trade association dedicated to small and independent American brewers, their beers and the community of brewing enthusiasts. The BA represents 4,800-plus U.S. breweries. The BA’s independent craft brewer seal is a widely adopted symbol that differentiates beers by small and independent craft brewers. The BA organizes events including the World Beer Cup®, Great American Beer Festival®, Craft Brewers Conference® & BrewExpo America®, SAVOR™: An American Craft Beer & Food Experience, Homebrew Con™, National Homebrew Competition and American Craft Beer Week®. The BA publishes The New Brewer® magazine, and Brewers Publications® is the leading publisher of brewing literature in the U.S. Beer lovers are invited to learn more about the dynamic world of craft beer at CraftBeer.com® and about homebrewing via the BA’s American Homebrewers Association® and the free Brew Guru® mobile app.