KDA Announces Staff Promotions

For Immediate Release – March 29, 2017

FRANKFORT, Ky. – The Kentucky Distillers’ Association, a non-profit trade group that promotes, protects and elevates the Commonwealth’s signature Bourbon and distilled spirits industry, today announced several changes to its growing staff.

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  Kristin Baldwin

  Kristin Baldwin has been promoted to Senior Director of Governmental and External Affairs. She will oversee all governmental and regulatory affairs, member services, public relations and social responsibility efforts.

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  Adam Johnson

  Adam Johnson has been promoted to Senior Director of Kentucky Bourbon Trail® Experiences. He will be responsible for all tourism and consumer-facing initiatives, including the KBT™ and the Kentucky Bourbon Trail Craft Tour®.

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  Colleen Thomas

  Colleen Thomas will become the KDA’s first Director of Member and Public Affairs, focusing on membership needs, recruitment and communication, public affairs strategies, media relations and industry outreach efforts.

“As our iconic industry grows, so do the duties and responsibilities of our hard-working and talented staff,” KDA President Eric Gregory said. “We appreciate their terrific work on behalf of our growing membership and industry partners around the world.”

In addition, the KDA announced that it is reopening its search for a dynamic leader to direct its Kentucky Bourbon Affair™ fantasy camp. The job description with details to apply is available at http://kybourbon.com/about/careers/.

Founded in 1880, the KDA is the state’s voice for Bourbon and spirits issues. Its diverse membership produces 95 percent of the world’s Bourbon, from legendary, global brands to emerging micro distilleries that are building the next generation of the timeless craft.

Kentucky Bourbon is one of the Commonwealth’s most historic and treasured industries, a booming $8.5 billion economic engine that generates as many as 17,500 jobs with an annual payroll topping $800 million, and pours $825 million into tax coffers each year.

The KDA recently unveiled a University of Louisville study that shows the industry is in the middle of a $1.2 billion building boom. There are now 52 distilleries in the Commonwealth and 6.7 million barrels of aging Bourbon – both modern records.

The KDA’s famous Kentucky Bourbon Trail® and Kentucky Bourbon Trail Craft Tour® also made history last year, with tourists recording a record one million stops at 20 participating distilleries. The booming attraction has increased attendance by 300 percent in the last 10 years.

Visit www.kybourbon.com and www.kybourbontrail.com to learn more.

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Media contact: KDA President Eric Gregory, (502) 875-9351.

The KDA is a non-profit trade association founded in 1880 to promote, protect and elevate Kentucky’s signature Bourbon and distilled spirits industry. Heritage members include Beam Suntory (Jim Beam and Maker’s Mark), Brown-Forman Corp. (Old Forester and Woodford Reserve), Diageo North America, Four Roses Distillery, Heaven Hill Brands, Michter’s Distillery and Wild Turkey Distillery. Proof members include the Louisville Distilling Company and Willett Distillery.

Craft members include Alltech’s Town Branch Distillery, Bardstown Bourbon Company, Barrel House Distilling Co., Bluegrass Distillers, Boone County Distilling Company, Boundary Oak Distillery, Casey Jones Distillery, Copper & Kings American Brandy Distillery, Corsair Artisan Distillery, Dueling Grounds Distillery, Hartfield & Co. Distillery, Jeptha Creed Distillery, Kentucky Artisan Distillery, Kentucky Mist Moonshine, Kentucky Peerless Distilling Co., Limestone Branch Distillery, MB Roland Distillery, New Riff Distillery, The Old Pogue Distillery, O.Z. Tyler Distillery, Second Sight Spirits, Wadelyn Ranch Distillery and Wilderness Trail Distillery. The Distilled Spirits Epicenter is the KDA’s official educational distillery.

Member benefits include media relations, international trade development, private sampling events, technical assistance, economic development support, networking, legal defense, marketing strategies, governmental and regulatory advocacy and innovative tourism experiences through the KDA’s Kentucky Bourbon Trail® and Kentucky Bourbon Trail Craft Tour® adventures. The KDA maintains an open membership policy, champions a strong commitment to the responsible and moderate consumption of spirits, and fights to curb underage drinking and drunk driving. For more information about joining the KDA’s distilling family, contact KDA President Eric Gregory at (502) 875-9351. Visit www.kybourbon.com and www.kybourbontrail.com to learn more.

KENTUCKY BOURBON TRAIL®, KENTUCKY BOURBON TRAIL CRAFT TOUR®, KENTUCKY BOURBON AFFAIR™, KBT™ and BOURBON TRAIL™ are trademarks/service marks of the Kentucky Distillers’ Association. Please drink responsibly.