National Beer Wholesalers Association reveals 2013-2014 Board of Directors

The National Beer Wholesalers Association (NBWA) announced the Board of Directors officers for the 2013-2014 term. Greg LaMantia, member and manager of L & F Distributors LLC in Texas and New Mexico, takes the helm as chairman of the board. He assumed the position and its responsibilities during NBWA’s 76th Annual Convention and Trade Show held Sept. 29 to Oct. 2 in Las Vegas.

Other officers of NBWA’s Board of Directors include:

• Vice Chair Eric Best, general manager/partner of Bob Hall LLC in Upper Marlboro, Md.
• Treasurer Travis Markstein, president of Markstein Beverage Co. in San Marcos, Calif.
• Secretary Paul J. Bertucci, executive vice president of F.E.B. Distributing Co. Inc. in Gulfport and Capital City Beverages Inc. in Jackson, Miss.
• Immediate Past Chair Bob Archer, president and chief executive officer of Blue Ridge Beverage Co. Inc. in Salem, Va.
• Immediate Past Chair Bob Archer, president and chief executive officer of Blue Ridge Beverage Co. Inc. in Salem, Virginia

As chair, LaMantia will help lead the association as it works to advocate for licensed, independent beer distributors and educate elected officials, regulators, media and the public about the value of beer distributors and the importance of effective state-based alcohol controls.

“Greg has served on the NBWA Board of Directors since 2007 and has held all elected positions, giving him a full background and working knowledge of the association’s goals and agenda,” said NBWA President and Chief Executive Officer Craig Purser. “He is a tremendous motivator who knows how to lead by example, which makes him a very effective advocate for his fellow beer distributors and a terrific mentor for its next generation of leaders. I look forward to working closely with Greg to advance the association’s goals in the year ahead.”

With experience from Texas Christian University’s Ranch Management program, LaMantia began his career handling his family’s agriculture operation located in Texas’ Dimmit, Webb and Zavala Counties. Since leaving the agriculture business in the late 1980s, LaMantia has overseen the general operations of L & F Distributors LLC. Founded in 1977 by LaMantia’s father, Joe LaMantia Jr., L & F is a family business that has grown to employ more than 1,000 individuals. It now operates throughout 34 counties in Texas and New Mexico and covers nearly 200,000 square miles of land.

LaMantia also serves as vice chairman and is a founding member of the Stars Scholarship Fund, which promotes access to and success in higher education for all students. Since its founding in 2002, the non-profit organization has awarded more than $18 million in scholarships to students from South Texas.