I’ve been an entrepreneur, starting and running diverse businesses for 28 years, and I’m a former elected legislator. I served on multiple committees and boards/commissions, including chairing the Virginia Small Business Commission. Also, I was elected as state party chairman and served on the national committee. Importantly, I’ve owned and operated a brewery for over eight years, and I have strong relationships in the brewing community, as well as with officials in both parties at all levels of government.

Speaking with one voice regarding legal and government matters (regulation, legislation, taxes, etc.), and provide as many opportunities as possible to collaborate with each other, exchange info and knowledge, and find ways to address and educate regarding shared challenges. Chances are that if one brewery is going through something, there’s another one out there that has experienced the same thing. Advocate for our industry both in the marketplace and among government entities.

Let’s keep making great beer, and let’s keep creating opportunities to bring folks together. Today that might mean opening up new taprooms; tomorrow that might mean figuring out how we can better take advantage of any self-distribution opportunities or have more productive relationships with distributors.

I have served on the BA board for six years, and participated in BA committees for eight years, so I have institutional knowledge that can provide context for the past and be beneficial in making decisions about the future. Located in Washington, D.C., I can participate in the legislative process and meet with our stakeholders. While I am a brewpub operator, we also have a taproom and packaging brewery, so I’m familiar with all membership classes.

I think the BA can expand its financial, business sustainability, and leadership resources, in addition to continuing the strong technical resources that focus on quality and efficiencies. The BA can continue to improve its lobbying focus on the state level and advocate for access to market on both the state and federal level. The BA’s investment in market research and data also continues to be beneficial in navigating the current economic environment.

The biggest opportunities for independent craft brewers is finding growth and ensuring business sustainability. I think we still have work to do in expanding the consumer base, and staying relevant as business patterns continue to shift and products continue to expand. We also need to make sure our membership and our trade organization stays strong and engaged, so we have a chance in fighting for market access and fairness against larger forces.

My experience spans over 20 years in global marketing strategy and over a decade as a successful brewpub owner and operator. I bring a unique perspective on scaling enterprise strategies for small businesses, adapting to consumer behavior shifts, and navigating regulatory challenges. My background combines corporate expertise and grassroots entrepreneurship, allowing me to address both high-level strategic issues and day-to-day operational concerns for the benefit of all BA members.

The BA can empower members by offering practical education, advocating for small business interests at the federal level, and fostering community collaboration. By sharing adaptable strategies and tools for marketing, operations, and regulatory compliance, the BA can help members stay resilient. Additionally, facilitating connections between brewers to exchange ideas and best practices can be instrumental in overcoming common industry challenges and sustaining growth.

The biggest opportunities lie in differentiation through unique experiences, hyper-localization, and direct consumer engagement. Small brewers can capitalize on their community connections, offering events like live music, tastings, and education to create memorable customer experiences. Additionally, leveraging digital marketing to reach broader audiences and storytelling around the craft and quality of their products can drive brand loyalty and growth.

I had my own business as a general contractor for many years and I was the area director for a nationwide organization called Young Life for 10 years. I am now the head brewer of Feather Falls Brewing Company, which I have worked with over the last 11 years, brewing hundreds of award-winning beers. I also worked with and helped build from scratch another local brewery and restaurant in our area.

The BA has been a huge part of our brewery and team members by providing many needed resources which would be hard to attain without their existence. We are grateful that we have been able to navigate through many business challenges using those resources and continue to send our team to support things like the Great American Beer Festival® and the Craft Brewers Conference® every year. I would like to be directly involved to help continue any resources needed for other members.

I think some of the biggest opportunities for small and independent breweries are learning marketing skills, branding, and packaging opportunities. Other opportunities may include collaborating with and working together or alongside other breweries which can produce great camaraderie and the possibilities for learning from each other and creating the best possible craft beers available. I love how the BA continues to create an atmosphere of unity in the brewing world.