NEW YORK, March 4, 2014 — The American Craft Distillers Association (ACDA) announces today the election of its inaugural Board of Directors.
“There is no way to overemphasize the magnitude of this election,” states Tom Potter of New York Distilling Co, and Chairman of the ACDA Elections Committee.
“This is a groundbreaking moment-the creation of a sustaining, long-term representation of craft distillers that will drive the entire industry forward for years to come.”
“What is so profound,” notes ACDA Executive Director Pennfield Jensen, “is the fact that America’s craft distillers can now speak with a collective voice on issues that are important and unique to the sector. At the same time, ACDA allows our community to work more effectively with industry stalwarts such as The Distilled Spirits Council of the United States (DISCUS), the Wine and Spirits Wholesalers of America (WSWA), the Association of Alcohol Beverage Licensees (ABL), and the Brewer’s Association (BA) as a truly collective voice.”
The ACDA Bylaws established three geographic regions from which five board members were elected-East Coast, Central & Mountain, and Pacific zones-for a total of 15 Board Members.
“We thank each of the candidates who agreed to run,” states Tom Potter. “This is a group that together offered a truly impressive initial slate; and we thank each of our member DSP’s that participated in the process by voting. ”
East
Nicole Austin, Kings County Distillery
Ralph Erenzo, Tuthilltown Spirits
Ted Huber, Starlight Distillery
Steve Johnson, Vermont Spirits
Rick Wasmund, Copper Fox Distillery
Central/Mountain
Rory Donovan, Peach Street Distillers
Paul Hletko, Few Spirits
Todd Leopold, Leopold Brothers
Chip Tate, Balcones Distilling
Andrew Webber, Corsair Artisan Distillery
West
Patrick Bernards, Bull Run Distilling
Yuseff Cherney, Ballast Point Brewing and Distilling
John Dannerbeck, Anchor Distilling
Tom Mooney, House Spirits Distillery
Orlin Sorensen, Woodinville Whiskey
Well over 70 percent of ACDA’s eligible members voted in the election. A list of all the candidates can be found [here] on the ACDA Website.
Officers will be elected at the first Board Meeting and installed during the ACDA Distillers Convention & Trade Show in Denver on Friday evening, March 14th. www.americancraftdistillers.org