National Beer Wholesalers Association Announces 2016-2017 Board of Directors Officers

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ALEXANDRIA, VA – The National Beer Wholesalers Association (NBWA) is proud to announce its Board of Directors officers for the 2016-2017 term. Paul J. Bertucci, executive vice president of F.E.B. Distributing Company, Inc. in Gulfport and Capital City Beverages, Inc. in Jackson, Mississippi, takes the helm as chairman of the Board. He assumed the position and its responsibilities during NBWA’s 79th Annual Convention held September 25 – 28 in Chicago, Illinois.

Other officers of NBWA’s Board of Directors include:

  • Vice Chairman Jim Matesich, president and CEO of Matesich Distributing Co. in Newark, Ohio
  • Treasurer Michael Schilleci, executive vice president of Supreme Beverage Company, Inc. in Birmingham, Alabama
  • Secretary Brian Gelner, president of Premium Beverage Sales in Springfield, Missouri
  • Immediate Past Chairman Travis Markstein, president of Markstein Beverage Co. in San Marcos, California

As chairman, Bertucci will help lead the association as it works to advocate for licensed, independent beer distributors and educate elected officials, regulators, media and the public about the importance of effective state-based alcohol regulation and the regulatory, economic and commercial value of independent beer distributors.

“Paul has devoted years of service to NBWA’s Board of Directors, giving him a full background and working knowledge of the association’s goals and agenda,” said NBWA President & CEO Craig Purser. “In his years of service as a state director for Mississippi and in every elected officer position, Paul has proven to be a dedicated and results-oriented leader.”

“I look forward to working closely with Paul to engage members, invest in the next generation, continue to build meaningful relationships with state associations and industry partners, communicate the value of independent beer distributors and advance the association’s goals in the year ahead,” Purser said.

Bertucci, his brother Frank and his cousin Frank Drennan are the third generation to own and manage the day-to-day operations of the family business that was started in 1934. Today, F.E.B. Distributing and Capital City Beverages service 22 counties along the Mississippi Gulf Coast and Central Mississippi, representing more than 100 brands of domestic, imported and craft beer. The companies employ more than 200 people in Mississippi.

NBWA and America’s beer distributors support a robust and competitive system of independent beer distribution, which provides access to market and a level playing field for brewers of all sizes. Beer distributors serve as the critical link in the American beer distribution system, sourcing products from brewers and importers and delivering products to state-licensed retailers. This effective system is driven by consumer choice – enabling American consumers to choose from the widest selection of products in the world – and works to ensure that only safe, fresh beer reaches American consumers of legal drinking age.

About:

The National Beer Wholesalers Association (NBWA) represents the interests of America’s more than 3,000 licensed, independent beer distributor operations in every state, congressional district and media market across the country. Beer distributors are committed to ensuring alcohol is provided safely and responsibly to consumers of legal drinking age through the three-tier, state-based system of alcohol regulation and distribution. To learn more about America’s beer distributors, visit www.nbwa.org. For additional updates from NBWA, subscribe to The Daily Brew newsletter, follow @NBWABeer on Twitter, watch NBWA videos on YouTube and visit https://www.facebook.com/pages/NBWABeer.