America's Beer Distributors

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NBWA Director, State and Industry Affairs David Christman was recently elected to serve a second year as Secretary/Treasurer of the Board of Directors of the Responsible Hospitality Institute (RHI), a non-profit organization that assists businesses and communities in creating safe and vibrant places for people to socialize.  As a member of the RHI Board of Directors, NBWA is able to give beer distributors a voice in the discussion surrounding the best ways to facilitate a balance between residential areas, business, dining and entertainment. 

“The 95,000 men and women of the American beer distribution industry and state-based regulation of alcohol play a critical role in ensuring the safe and legal sale of alcohol in an orderly marketplace,” said NBWA President Craig Purser. “America's 2,850 licensed, independent beer distributors and their families are citizens in the communities in which their businesses operate, and they play a critical role in the effort to eliminate drunk driving, alcohol abuse and the underage purchase and consumption of alcohol. NBWA’s work with RHI is a natural extension of the beer distribution industry’s concern that beer is a unique product that should be enjoyed responsibly and only by those of legal drinking age.”

David Christman“For more than fifteen years, RHI has gone into cities and communities across the country to work with parties from all sectors to ensure all interests are met when entertainment and social districts are developed,” said Christman. “Because beer distributors have a local presence in these communities and play an important role in their development, it only makes sense for NBWA to have an active role in RHI at the national level.  They’ve done a lot of great work around the country and even in challenging economic times continue to provide a valuable service to cities around the United States and Canada.”

Montgomery County Maryland Department of Liquor Control’s Division Chief for Licensure, Regulation and Education, Kathie Durbin, will serve as RHI’s 2010 Board President.  Other members of the RHI Board of Directors include law enforcement officers, members of the alcohol industry, retailers, public health advocates and regulators.   The Board of Directors meets on a quarterly basis while also actively working with RHI staff to plan and conduct forums, webinars and conferences on a host of issues dealing with responsibility.

For more information on RHI and its Board of Directors, please visit http://rhiweb.org/.