The California Craft Brewers Association (CCBA) has appointed Kelsey McQuaid-Craig as the state trade group’s new executive director.
McQuaid-Craig succeeds Lori Ajax, who announced plans to exit the role at the end of the year. The leadership transition has already begun, which the trade group described as “collaborative and overlapping transition” that “ensures the CCBA will remain at the forefront of advocating on behalf of its membership, as well as ensuring strategic partnerships with allied organizations will continue.”
Ajax had held the executive director role since January 2021, taking over for long-time executive director Tom McCormick, who retired.
McQuaid-Craig joins the CCBA from outside of the beer and bev-alc industries. She most recently served as director of policy and programs with the California Chapter of the American College of Emergency Physicians. She holds a master’s degree in Public Administration and is a Certified Association Executive.
“As a dedicated association professional who enjoys a good craft beer, I look forward to learning from and engaging with the CCBA Board and members to strengthen the California craft brewing industry,” McQuaid-Craig said in the announcement.
CCBA board chair Sierra Grossman added: “The Board knows that Kelsey will focus on ensuring the CCBA’s organization is as strong as it can be as we continue to be challenged in our ever-changing economic climate. With a strong association, we can continue to play a pivotal role in being the voice of craft brewers at the state Capitol.”
The CCBA is the largest and oldest state trade organization representing craft breweries in the U.S. having formed in 1989. California ranks first in the nation with 987 craft breweries and more than 3.245 million barrels of beer produced, according to national trade group Brewers Association. The Golden State also ranks first in economic impact with $8.875 billion in 2023.