• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Advertise
  • About Craft Brewing Business

Craft Brewing Business

Professional Insight, Unfiltered

Craft Brewing Business Craft Brewing Business
  • News
  • Business & Marketing
  • Packaging & Distribution
  • Equipment & Systems
  • Ingredients & Supplies
  • Webinars & White Papers
  • News
  • Business & Marketing
  • Ingredients & Supplies
  • Packaging & Distribution
  • Equipment
  • Webinars & White Papers
  • COVID-19

Meet the new marketing, communication directors for the Brewers Association, NBWA names Amanda DeBard as communications director

August 15, 2017Pretty Much a Press Release

The Brewers Association (BA) — the not-for-profit trade association dedicated to small and independent American brewers — just announced that Ann Obenchain has been named marketing director. In this role, she will develop and lead the strategic direction of all BA marketing activities — including membership, key events such as the Great American Beer Festival, sales of Brewers Publications titles and communications to support association priorities. She will report to Bob Pease, president and CEO of the BA.

Obenchain comes to the BA as a seasoned marketing and operations executive with proven expertise envisioning and executing marketing and communications strategies for nationally-recognized, active outdoor lifestyle and heritage brands in the for-profit and nonprofit sectors.

“We are thrilled to have Ann take the reins of the critical work our marketing department handles on a day-to-day basis,” said Pease. “She’s well-versed in the intricacies of marketing and communications and has spent significant time working in trade association settings, which will make her a great asset to our team.”

Obenchain replaces longtime Marketing Director Barbara Fusco, who announced she was stepping down after more than seven years. Fusco plans to remain at the BA during Obenchain’s onboarding to ensure a seamless transition.

“We are extremely grateful for Barb’s commitment and dedicated service to the BA over all these years, including now — helping pass the torch to Ann,” said Pease.

Previously Obenchain served as marketing and development director at the Colorado Chautauqua Association, where she led all marketing and communications campaigns, oversaw year-round programming and created various development funding strategies. Prior to that, she served as vice president of marketing and member services at the Outdoor Industry Association, where she focused on strategic planning, development and implementation of all association and member program activities, as well as organizing association events, trade show programs and lobby events in Washington, D.C.

“It is an honor to join the Brewers Association,” said Obenchain. “The BA is at the helm of the ever-evolving craft beer industry, successfully supporting its members and the culture of American craft brewers. I’m excited to work with all of the creative entrepreneurs fueling the growth of the craft brewing community.”

Obenchain is also a leader in the community, currently serving as chair of the Boulder County Cultural Council.

NBWA names Amanda DeBard as communications director

The National Beer Wholesalers Association (NBWA) just announced that Amanda DeBard will join the association as its Communications Director. DeBard is a seasoned communicator who has solid experience in strategic communications, media relations and advocacy. In her new role, DeBard will work to execute public affairs strategies to advance the association’s advocacy agenda, while managing its internal, membership and external communications initiatives.

“NBWA is thrilled to have Amanda join our team,” said NBWA’s Rebecca Spicer, SVP Communications and Public Affairs. “Amanda brings to the association an extensive background in strategic communications, and we believe she will be a tremendous asset advocating for America’s 3,000 independent beer distributors and promoting the value they deliver in communities across the country.”

Most recently, DeBard worked as a communications consultant for Washington trade associations and public relations firms, including The National Association of Manufacturers and Keybridge Communications, and was an Editor at SmartBrief. She also worked as a director at The Herald Group.

Previously, DeBard served as manager of communications and director of communications at Business Roundtable, where she was key spokeswoman for the association representing CEOs of America’s leading companies. Additionally, DeBard worked as an energy policy reporter for The Washington Times and EnergyGuardian, where she led reporting on climate change legislation, the 2010 BP oil spill and subsequent federal investigations and reforms to fossil energy production. She also served as an Energy Policy Analyst at Potomac Research Group and a reporter for Stateline.org.

A Texas native, DeBard is a graduate of the University of Texas at Austin where she graduated cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in journalism.

beer enzymes
Three beer industry trade organizations unite for Beer Growth Initiative
Big congrats: Brewers Association announces 2023 Industry Award winners
San Diego selected as site for 2023 Homebrew Con
The Brewers Association announces CBC travel grants to its 2023 Nashville conference

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

Primary Sidebar

Latest News

  • The case for full facility disinfection for breweries in the post-COVID era
  • MadTree set to convert old airplane hangar into its third brewery
  • Fulton Brewing commissions label art from Marvel artist to launch new kingdom of IPAs
  • Arizona Wilderness raises funds for LGBTQIA+ license plate and more drinks to know this week

Sign up for our newsletter

unsubscribe from list

Most Popular Today

Recent Features

  • Cleaning home table sanitizing kitchen table surface with disinfectant spray bottle washing surfaces with towel and gloves. COVID-19 prevention sanitizing insideThe case for full facility disinfection for breweries in the post-COVID era
    June 8, 2023
  • Arizona Wilderness PrismArizona Wilderness raises funds for LGBTQIA+ license plate and more drinks to know this week
    June 7, 2023
  • FSBC-Image-1Here’s the fastest growing brewery in the U.S. according to Untappd
    June 6, 2023
  • MONTUCKY-HERO-IMAGE___Montucky Cold Snacks announces new mascot and contest winner, plans to plaster his face on its beer cans this fall
    June 5, 2023
  • Video: Watch how Country Malt Group started in a shed and became an America beer supplier success story
    June 5, 2023
  • Constellation sells Funky Buddha and Four Corners back to original owners, says see ya to craft sector
    May 31, 2023

Footer

  • Email Newsletter Sign Up
  • About Craft Brewing Business
  • Contact Us
  • Advertise on Craft Brewing Business
  • Media Kit Download
  • Privacy and Terms

© 2023 · CBB Media LLC