I have worked in local government on diverse boards, manage several divisions of a County, I have been president of a local homebrew non-profit, on the United Way Board of Directors, and opened two restaurants before and after the pandemic. I am a driven detail-oriented individual who brings projects to completion. I have managed a multimillion dollar trust fund. I seek consensus. Helped create the Forest to Tap (F2T) outreach of water, forestry and beer.

The inconsistent brewery laws are complex and have created an uneven playing field. Brew pubs are a small component of the entire industry and need a voice at the table. The membership needs to continue to find benefit and value in the organization. Finding ways to be inclusive and diversify while not marginalizing membership. Changing demographics and generational differences of the population.

Our industry is still on a economic growth cycle. The success and engagement of breweries into our communities and the social growth that is possible. Our industry is respected as professional and inclusive. Success in craft brew culture.

As an active member of a Northern Wisconsin city of about 2,500 people, I’ve developed a compassion and understanding towards not only small business operation, but also the microcosms of rural and underrepresented regions. Continuing to engage fully and altruistically within our communities is paramount to the success of industry as whole. Equipped with this knowledge, I will continue the advocacy for those who may not carry the biggest stick or hold the loudest voice.

Staffing challenges, economic turbulence, shelf-space… The Brewer’s Association is home to much smarter and better-equipped members to identify those. My skillset lies in the ability to pivot. The ability to get resources in the hands of BA members quickly. Saturated by information, I have found BA resources challenging to navigate and routinely hyper-technical. Providing quick, boiler plate access to information and resources that promote growth within our industry is a primary objective of my candidacy.

Oh man… what a fun question. Through the general turbulent nature of our last 3-5 years, I feel like many in the food and beverage industry have disremembered the core of what we are. We’re an industry of pioneers, doers, and make-shit-happen-ers. The opportunities in our industry are ever-present when equipped with an attitude that tells you just as much. Innovation in all capacities is the foundation of this industry. I aim to exploit that.

Over my time at Bosque Brewing Co., I have been responsible for developing and/or operating the Taproom Ops, Sales, Marketing, HR, and Events departments of the company and have participated at the state level for many years at the NM Legislature defending small brewers and businesses. I am always happy to share my specific experiences with these topics, pitfalls to avoid, challenges to consider, and opportunities to look out for.

There is no question that many of our members are facing a variety of challenges that sometimes seem insurmountable. While there are many external factors outside of our control that some may argue are leading to a declining industry, I would focus attention and energy towards optimizing internal controls within our own companies as well as within the BA. This includes company wide practices & procedures, financial practices and controls, & hospitality/training initiatives.

Small and independent craft brewers have made their mark on beer by producing innovative products and by providing spaces where people want to and enjoy being together. Obviously the pandemic took its toll on our ability to showcase that in many ways, but is arguably even more desired now by consumers when deciding where to spend their money. Innovation and hospitality are still our strengths, we just have to remind the world of it.

I’ve been an entrepreneur, starting and running businesses for 25 years, and I’m a former three-term member of the Virginia House — where I served on multiple standing committees, as well as a number of boards and commissions, including as Chairman of the Virginia Small Business Commission. Additionally, I was elected statewide as a party chairman, and served on a national political committee. And, importantly, I’ve owned and operated a brewery for over 7 years.

Declining distribution while taproom/brewpub consumption increase in popularity — navigating these and other changes in our marketplace, as well as being dogged at creating a more favorable legal and regulatory environment are paramount. Most specifically, I think the challenges we face with our distributors and distribution laws are the most pressing. My background/experience in gov/politics, as well as owning a brewery with both taproom and distribution sales is well suited to advocate for our membership.

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.

The most important thing that I bring to the table is a diverse perspective. The brewing industry has so many untapped markets due to lack of marketing, bro culture and etc. I came into the board from the outside looking in and was able to bring to attention things that were never up for consideration or thought., I present a strong voice to the underrepresented and those who have felt that they have been unheard.

The biggest challenges are, the creation of new skus taking up tap and market space, and the lack of diversity that we still currently face in the industry, I will still continue to push for DEI centric programs, initiatives.I will continue to challenge the BOD to look past our standards and our past and look forward to what the future may hold. I will also make an effort for the AHA to harvest new brewers.

The biggest opportunities is diversity diversity and let me say it again, diversity! At a point where we have seen slow down of taprooms and purchasing power. It is time for the industry to embrace diversity, embrace under represented groups and work together to bring a new fold to the Independent Craft Beer scene.