Brewers Association announces their 2019 board of directors

Boulder, Colo. … 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 more than 4,800 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®, SAVORTM: An American Craft Beer & Food Experience, Homebrew ConTM, 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. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

The Brewers Association is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, or marital/familial status. The BA complies with provisions of Executive Order 11246 and the rules, regulations, and relevant orders of the Secretary of Labor.