National Beer Wholesalers Association announces 2014-2015 Board of Directors officers

We raise our pints to Eric Best (left) and Craig Purser (right).

The National Beer Wholesalers Association (NBWA) has announced its Board of Directors officers for the 2014-2015 term. Eric Best, general manager/partner of Bob Hall LLC in Upper Marlboro, Md., takes the helm as chairman of the board. He assumed the position and its responsibilities during NBWA’s 77th Annual Convention held Sept. 28-Oct. 1 in New Orleans.

Other officers of NBWA’s Board of Directors include:

• Vice Chairman Travis Markstein, president of Markstein Beverage Co. in San Marcos, Calif.;
• Treasurer Paul Bertucci, executive vice president of F.E.B. Distributing Co. Inc. in Gulfport and Capital City Beverages Inc. in Jackson, Miss.;
• Secretary Michael Bamonti, president & general manager of J. J. Taylor Distributing Minnesota Inc. in Minneapolis; and
• Immediate Past Chairman Greg LaMantia, member/manager of L & F Distributors, LLC in Texas and New Mexico.

As chairman, Best 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 importance of effective state-based alcohol regulation and the regulatory, economic and commercial value of independent beer distributors.

“Eric has served on the NBWA Board of Directors since 2009, giving him a full background and working knowledge of the association’s goals and agenda,” said NBWA President and CEO Craig Purser. “He is a thoughtful leader and consensus builder, which makes him a very effective advocate for his fellow beer distributors. I look forward to working closely with Eric to advance the association’s goals in the year ahead.”

Best manages Bob Hall LLC — an 81-year-old distributorship — in partnership with the Hall brothers, Richard and Clarence, on behalf of the Hall family. Bob Hall LLC has 100 full-time employees and has long been recognized for its contributions to the Southern Maryland community, particularly its work with local law enforcement on responsible drinking and safe driving programs. Bob Hall LLC distributes brands for Anheuser-Busch InBev and Constellation Brands, along with a solid portfolio of craft beer including New Belgium. The company also created a High End Brands division in 2013 to further develop the craft and import segment of its business.

Best holds an MBA degree with a concentration in Finance from the University of Baltimore and a B.S. in Economics from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. He has served as chairman of the Anheuser-Busch Wholesaler Panel and currently serves on the Constellation Brands Beer Division Distributor Council.