Maui Brewing Founder Elected to Brewers Association Board

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Garrett Marrero, the founder and CEO of Maui Brewing, Hawaii’s largest brewery, has been elected to the Brewers Association board of directors.

Marrero, who currently serves on the organization’s government affairs committee, will begin his three-year term as a board member in February.

“Eleven years ago, when I first started Maui Brewing, I never would have thought that I’d be sitting on the board of the BA,” he told Brewbound.

Known as a vocal proponent for the organization’s craft brewer definition, Marrero has, over the years, developed a reputation as an outspoken advocate for “truth in labeling.” At the 2014 Craft Brewers Conference, Marrero described a craft brewer as someone who “takes authenticity and innovation and has a really good sense of place into consideration.”

“It is no secret that I have been a big proponent of truth in labeling,” he told Brewbound at the time. “It’s not so much to take away from any partners, but it is more to protect all of us in the industry and allow the public to make decisions based on accurate information.”

According to a press release, Marrero will assist in “governing the activities of the professional division of the BA and other divisions such as the American Homebrewers Association, Brewers Publications, and events.”

“I’m looking forward to being able to give my time back to an industry that has given me so much,” Marrero said.

In a statement, Brewers Association CEO Bob Pease congratulated Marrero on his appointment.

“In electing Garrett to the Brewers Association Board, the members of the Brewers Association recognized his passion and commitment to furthering the interests of all American Craft Brewers,” he wrote. “I look forward to working closer with Garrett as the Brewers Association continues to promote and protect the interests of small and independent brewers.”

According to the organization’s website, the BA board currently consists of 19 members from both brewpubs and packaging breweries alike. Six of those members — including notable names like New Belgium’s Kim Jordan, Deschutes Brewery’s Gary Fish and Freetail Brewing’s Scott Metzger — are slated to end their terms in February.

Marrero and Lazy Magnolia Brewing Company’s Leslie Henderson are the newest members to join the board. Standing Stone Brewing Company’s Larry Chase was also reelected.