MI Spirits Association Announces New Board of Directors

November 15, 2022

Kevin Wood, of Birmingham, was named President of the Michigan Spirits Association (MSA) at its recent board of directors meeting. Wood is a 20 year industry veteran and a Michigan native having grown up in Northville and studied at Western Michigan University. Wood has held a seat on the MSA board of directors for eight years and is currently the Director of the U.S. Control States at William Grant and Sons. William Grant and Sons is a 5th generation privately held company that will be celebrating its 135th anniversary on Dec 25th of this year and is known for brands like Glenfiddich Single Malt Scotch, Hendrick's Gin, Tullamore Dew Irish Whiskey and Milagro Tequila.

Other officers elected to serve on the MSA Board of Directors for the 2023-2024 term include:

. Sam Awdish, of Howell, will serve as Vice-President. He is Vice President of Sales, Control States for Casamigos Spirits Company.

. Brian Pizzuti, of Howell, will serve as Treasurer. He is the Vice President of Sales for Republic National Distributing Company of MI (RNDC).

. Tony Mitchell, of Redford will serve as Secretary. He is Director of National Accounts for Infinium Spirits.

. Conrad Haremza, of Commerce. Conrad is the Past President of the MSA and a Senior Regional Director MI, OH, WV, RNDC Division for Proximo.

Elected Directors:

. Jim Moran of Brighton; Division Manager MI, IA, MC for Luxco.

. Lisa Hebert of Ann Arbor; Director of Sales for Remy Cointreau USA, Inc.

. Joe Cekola of Kalamazoo; President for Imperial Beverage.

. Jamie Wright of Clinton Township will serve as Small Distiller Director. She is the Sales Manager for Detroit City Distillery.

Elected Alternate Directors:

. Jacqueline Birkholz, of Grosse Pointe, State Manager for Fifth Generation Inc. - Tito's Handmade Vodka.

. Jared Rapp, of West Bloomfield, Co-Founder of Traverse City Whiskey Co.

. Jessica Smith, of Milford, Region Manager Michigan for Pernod Ricard, Spirits, Wine & Champagne.

. Brett Schuck, of Whitmore Lake, Michigan State Manager for Bacardi USA

. George Zrinyi, of Commerce Township, Regional Manager, Control Sales for Dancing Goat Distillery.

Established in 1967, the MSA represents the vendors, suppliers, small distillers, and distributors of distilled spirit products in Michigan. The MSA partners with the Michigan Liquor Control Commission and the Michigan Legislature to support, advocate, and educate for the responsible consumption of spirits that are crafted, produced and or sold in the state of Michigan in manners consistent with the quality standards of the industry. Additionally, the MSA supports the prevention of underage drinking by advocating for vigilant enforcement of state law and strict penalties for violations.

Members of the MSA provide thousands of jobs for Michigan residents and generate over $600 million annually in spirits revenue to the state of Michigan, making the spirits industry one of the state's largest revenue sources. MSA members represent more than 81% percent of the more than 9.1 million cases of spirits sold in the state each year.

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