NBWA Names New Executive Vice President

ALEXANDRIA, VA — National Beer Wholesalers Association (NBWA) President & CEO Craig Purser is pleased to announce that veteran government affairs professional Laurie L. Knight will join NBWA as the Executive Vice President, Government Affairs. In that position, she will lead the association’s lobbying team, direct the association’s federal advocacy efforts and play a key role in advancing the association’s member-focused agenda on behalf of America’s 3,300 independent beer distributors. Knight joins NBWA from the Association of American Railroads (AAR), where she has served as Senior Vice President, Government Affairs since 2011.

“Laurie has a proven track record in advancing advocacy agendas, building coalitions and navigating complicated policy challenges. Additionally, her background as an attorney will be an asset to NBWA, our members and the independent beer distribution industry,” said Purser. “NBWA is fortunate to have such a strong and experienced leader join our team.”

Prior to her leadership position with AAR, Knight spent more than five years as the Executive Vice President of Government Affairs for the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB). Before gaining significant experience in the communications and transportation industries, Knight served as Washington Representative and Director of Government Affairs at NBWA from 1999 through 2005.

Knight also has served on Capitol Hill, having worked as Legislative Director for then Rep. Jim Turner (TX). She also practiced law in Texas and is currently licensed in Texas and California.

Knight is a graduate of Pepperdine University School of Law and Southern Methodist University (SMU).