Legislative Conference

Craig Purser serves as the leading advocate for America’s more than 3,000 independent beer & beverage distributors. In this role, Purser is responsible for the strategic development and tactical execution of the association’s mission in the areas of government, public, industry and political affairs. He has led the charge to strengthen the three-tier system of beer distribution and state-based alcohol regulation.

During his tenure at NBWA, Purser has been a consensus builder among industry partners, control advocates, public health activists and elected leaders. Under Purser’s leadership, NBWA worked with a wide variety of stakeholders to help Congress pass the Sober Truth on Preventing (STOP) Underage Drinking Act. This meaningful legislation emphasizes the primary responsibility of the states to regulate alcohol as afforded them by the 21st Amendment, addresses health and safety issues related to underage drinking and authorizes grants to support innovative efforts.

Gordon Green currently serves as Chairman of the NBWA Board and has been a member of the board for over 13 years. He is the President-GM and Equity Manager of Capital Distributing in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and has worked with the company for nearly twenty years. Green has extensive experience in the beer distribution industry and the beverage space as a whole. He began his career in the beverage industry at the Gallo Wine Company in Southern California as a salesman and district manager. He went on to work at Pepsi-Cola Bottling Co for eight years, where he served in a sales and operations management role. Green then returned to the Chicago area where he grew up to work as a general sales manager at Courtesy Distributing before moving on to Coca-Cola Enterprises for four years. He spent a year in the Coors Brewing Company’s General Manager Development program.

Widely respected for her unparalleled insights and analysis from the forefront of American politics, Anna Palmer is a trusted voice on the latest — and most accurate — news on congressional leadership, the lobbying industry, presidential campaigns, and the politics of governing for more than 15 years. She is the co-founder and CEO of Punchbowl News, a news community focused on power, people, and politics in Washington. Named after the Secret Service’s nickname for the Capitol, the company covers congressional leadership and the White House, and tracks the industries and companies trying to influence them.

Brian Crawford joined the Beer Institute as its president and CEO in December 2022. Before joining the Beer Institute, Brian served as executive vice president of government affairs for the American Hotel and Lodging Association, where he led the association’s advocacy efforts on Capitol Hill and with key administration policymakers and stakeholders on priority issues, including short-term rentals, workforce career development and technology and distribution. He also oversaw the lodging industry’s largest political action committee, HotelPAC, ensuring that the association’s political voice was strong and united by investing in federal candidates who support the industry.

Before working at AHLA, Brian spent years in the U.S. House of Representatives, having served five as chief of staff to U.S. Congressman Tom Rooney (FL-17). He previously served as the deputy chief of staff for Florida Congressman Ric Keller (FL-08) and held senior roles in other national trade associations.

John Bodnovich is Executive Director of American Beverage Licensees (ABL) and a leading advocate for America’s beer, wine and spirits retailers.  He works closely with ABL’s state and regional affiliates representing on- and off-premise beverage licensee members on matters of concern to beverage alcohol retailers.  His work includes managing ABL’s federal government affairs portfolio, grassroots advocacy, and strategic communication efforts between ABL and its affiliates. John is ABL’s primary representative to industry trade associations, alcohol suppliers, wholesalers and importers, as well as social responsibility organizations and other industry stakeholders.

Bob Pease is president & CEO of the Brewers Association, the national trade association representing small and independent American craft brewers. In his role, Pease is responsible for the strategic development and tactical execution of the association’s mission in the areas of membership development, events, media relations, and government affairs. He has led the charge to strengthen the small brewer’s voice in Washington, D.C.