Tom Flores is a former member of the Brewers Association Board of Directors, serving one term starting in February 2015.

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What’s your current position at your brewery?

I’m the brewmaster at Brewer’s Alley in Frederick, Md.

What’s new at Brewer’s Alley?

We are in the home stretch of some pretty significant renovations at Brewer’s Alley and everyone is eager to celebrate our 20th anniversary this summer, soon after the dust has settled from construction. Our sister brewery, Monocacy Brewing, is growing and we’re having a good time laying down foundations for the future.

How long have you served on the BA board of directors?

Since February 2015.

What’s it like to serve on the board?

It is definitely work, but it comes with a great deal of satisfaction when I realize how amazing the BA staff is. It really is time well spent to create a consensus on the board for the direction in which the BA staff needs to go, especially when they so consistently deliver on expectations.

What challenges and satisfactions have you met during your board service?

The biggest challenge for me is keeping up with the pace of change occurring in the alcohol beverage industry at large, let alone all the changes happening in our sector of the brewing industry. In terms of satisfaction, it has been a great pleasure to meet with BA members and state guilds when we are able to arrange events that coincide with board meeting venues and times. And serving on the board has been a wonderful way to become acquainted with fellow board members, who are such a great group of people. The biggest satisfaction I find with working on the board is being able to contribute in building a path forward for such a fantastic organization and an amazing industry.

What do you like to do in your time away from the brewery and the BA board?

Do you mean besides catching up on laundry? My wife and I spend a good deal of time working with the youth program in our church, as well as running the sound system on Sunday mornings. And our three-legged cat (Bonita) from the animal shelter is always a lot of fun! We try to go hiking or take long walks when we can, just not with the cat; that’d be unfair to her.