Distilled Spirits Council and Responsibility.org align

The Distilled Spirits Council and Responsibility.org have made numerous senior leadership appointments as the two organisations align.

The Distilled Spirits Council and Responsibility.org have made various senior appointments as both bodies align

The Distilled Spirits Council and Responsibility.org will remain separate organisations, each with their own boards and individual goals.

Some of the senior leadership appointments will cover both the Distilled Spirits Council and Responsibility.org. These are: Courtney Armour, chief legal officer; Adrian Baxter, chief financial officer; Sarah Fitzmaurice, chief, resource planning and management; and Leslie Kimball, chief, branding and communications.

Christine LoCascio has been appointed chief, public policy, Distilled Spirits Council; Eric Reller has been named chief, strategic initiatives, Distilled Spirits Council; and Dr Sam Zakhari will take up the position of chief, science and health, Distilled Spirits Council.

Ben Nordstrom PhD will take up the post of executive director of Responsibility.org.

Chris Swonger, CEO of the Distilled Spirits Council, said: “Discus [Distilled Spirits Council of the US] is now even better positioned to advocate for the interests of large, medium and small distillers and brand owners.

“We are also fully invested in working closely with our distributors, control states, and retail partners to find common ground on important issues for the spirits industry.

“Building upon the spirits’ sector’s ninth consecutive year of growth, Discus is well prepared to seize new opportunities and meet the challenges of a quickly evolving spirits marketplace.”

Lynne Omlie, senior vice president, general counsel and corporate secretary, Distilled Spirits Council, will continue to serve in her current position until mid-September. She will then move into a senior advisor role to support the new chief legal officer, as well as continuing to advise Swonger.

Frank Coleman, senior vice president of the Distilled Spirits Council, and Mark Gorman, senior vice president, government relations, Distilled Spirits Council, will also act as senior advisors to Swonger, offering strategic guidance where needed.

The Distilled Spirits Council will continue to focus on advocacy for the drinks industry, while Responsibility.org will continue to work to combat drunk driving, underage drinking and to promote responsible consumption.