The Kentucky Distillers’ Association announced that Kevin Smith of Beam Suntory has been elected Chairman of the 141-year-old non-profit trade group that unites, promotes, and protects the state’s signature Bourbon and distilled spirits industry.
Smith, who is Vice President of Kentucky Bourbon Affairs, will begin his term on Jan. 1, 2022, and serve through December 2022. The KDA Board of Directors elected officers during its Annual Meeting earlier this month.
“I am very honored to be selected as the next KDA Board Chair and look forward to working with our Board of Directors, members, and KDA staff to ensure the continued growth of the Kentucky Bourbon industry,” Smith said.
“We are stronger when we work together, and I am confident that we can build on our past success as we focus on becoming a more diverse and sustainable industry, building a strong foundation that will ensure Kentucky’s Bourbon legacy for generations to come.”
Smith is a 33-year veteran of Kentucky’s Bourbon industry, having worked for the top distilleries in the state. A former Master Distiller for Maker’s Mark, Smith currently works with state, local, and civic leaders as well as supporting large and small charities throughout the regional area on behalf of Beam Suntory.
The Board also named Chris Morris, Vice President and Master Distiller for Brown-Forman as Vice Chairman; Jessica Pendergrass, General Counsel & Chief Compliance Officer for Heaven Hill as Secretary; and Ryan Ashley, Chief Operating Officer and Director of Distillery Operations at Four Roses as Treasurer.
Other Board members for 2022 include:
- Bardstown Bourbon Co.: Mark Erwin, President, and Chief Executive Officer
- Castle & Key Distillery: Will Arvin, Co-Founder
- Diageo North America: Pauline Rooney, Vice President of Distillation, Maturation, and Engineering
- Green River Distilling Co.: Jacob Call, Master Distiller and Director of Operations
- Louisville Distilling Co.: Wes Henderson, Co-founder, and Chief Innovation Officer
- Lux Row Distillers: Eri Lapish, Vice President of Human Resources
- Michter’s Distillery: Joseph Magliocco, President
- Rabbit Hole Distillery: Kaveh Zamanian, Founder, Whiskey Maker & CEO
- Wild Turkey: Marco Barassi, Government Relations, and Sustainability Director, North America
- Wilderness Trail Distillery: Shane Baker, Co-Founder & CEO
- Willett Distillery: Britt Kulsveen, President
- Proof Director: Mark Coffman, Master Distiller, Lexington Brewing & Distilling Company
- Craft Director: Paul Tomaszewski, Co-Founder, MB Roland Distillery.
Visit www.kybourbon.com and www.kybourbontrail.com to learn more.
Click here to sign up for The Bourbon Flight Newsletter (coming January 2022).
