Michigan Brewers Guild Announces 2016 Board of Directors
-PRESS RELEASE FOLLOWS-
(KALAMAZOO, Mich) – The Michigan Brewers Guild recently elected its 2016 Board of Directors at its annual meeting, January13, at the Kalamazoo Radisson Plaza Hotel. Each board position is a two-year term, elected in alternating years (4, 3).
The conference was a record-breaker in many ways for the organization, with more than 450 attendees and nearly 60 vendors in the allied member Trade Show. The Guild also reported a record 201 member breweries during the Annual Meeting—an increase of 53 members since the previous January.
This year, four people were elected to the Guild board:
- Ryan Cottongim, Owner of Witch’s Hat in South Lyon, was elected to his first term on the board, and will serve as the organization’s secretary.
- Ron Jeffries, Owner of Jolly Pumpkin Artisan Ales in Dexter, was elected to his fifth term on the board during the history of the organization. He was a founding board member, serving from the organization’s formation in 1998 through 2003, and again in 2007-2008.
- Scott Newman-Bale, Vice President of Short’s Brewing Company in Bellaire, continues to serve as Treasurer, was reelected to his fourth term and will once again serve as the organization’s treasurer.
- Kristy Smith, Owner of Axle Brewing Co. in Royal Oak, was elected to her first term on the board.
Additional board members include:
- Eric Briggeman, Director of Brewing Operations at Rochester Mills Production Brewery, continues his sixth term on the board and will continue serve his eighth year as Guild President.
- Isaac Hartman, “Ambassador of Great Beer” from New Holland Brewing Company, continues his fourth term on the board of directors.
- Garry Boyd, Ringleader & Managing Partner at BarFly Ventures (HopCat & Grand Rapids Brewing) continues his first term on the board and chairs the association’s sustainability committee.
The Michigan Brewers Guild was formed in 1997 and held its first festival in July 1998. Today, the Guild hosts four festivals dedicated exclusively to Michigan craft beer produced by its 201 member breweries.
Michigan’s thriving brewing industry conservatively contributes more than $144 million in wages with a total economic contribution of more than $277 million. In terms of overall number breweries, microbreweries and brewpubs, Michigan ranks #5 in the nation – thus supporting its claim as “The Great Beer State.”
The Michigan Brewers Guild is the network of innovative and passionate brewers that serves as the recognized advocate for the Michigan craft beer industry. The mission of the Michigan Brewers Guild is to promote and protect the Michigan craft beer industry with an overarching goal to help craft beer acquire 20% of the market by 2025.