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Pennsylvania Beer Wholesalers Association
About the New Team
Jay Wiederhold
- Jay was formerly the Executive Director of the state House Liquor Control Committee serving under Chairman Ron Raymond.
- Jay brings with him 12 years of experience in State Government (all at House of Representatives).
- Prior to service on the House Liquor Control Committee, Jay worked for the late Representative Karl Boyes as a staff member on the House Finance Committee for 4 years and after that as Special Projects Coordinator for, then Majority Leader John Perzel (current Speaker of the House) before taking over the Liquor Control Committee.
- Jay is considered very knowledgeable in the workings of the State Legislature and has established many connections over the years.
- Jay is a 1994 graduate of Penn State University (BS – Public Administration)
Fran O’Brien
- Also coming aboard with PBWA, in the newly created position of legal counsel, is Harrisburg attorney Francis X. O’Brien who is recognized for his expertise in state liquor law.
- Fran is a former chief counsel to the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board from 1989 to 1997
- Fran earlier served as chief counsel to the Pennsylvania State Police and as an assistant state attorney general.
- Fran holds a bachelor’s and law degree from Villanova University
PBWA Mission and Purpose:
Primary mission of PBWA is to nurture and support the socially and environmentally responsible development and growth of the malt beverage industry in Pennsylvania and to accomplish this task, in a professional manner, as the representative of the member importing distributors before the Legislature and regulatory authorities in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
The purpose of the Association is to safeguard the trade interest of the beer distributors of Pennsylvania; to promote ethical practices and goodwill in the industry we represent; and to encourage a co-operative working arrangement between the brewers, wholesalers and retailers of Pennsylvania, to the end that a better understanding may exist between all branches of the business in this state.
Objectives:
Active program of monitoring and often times initiating or opposing legislation affecting our member companies. PBWA will exert continuing efforts to support laws and regulations that advance the general welfare of the people and the interests of the wholesale malt beverage distribution industry.
- Advance policies and programs to stimulate the further growth, progress and general welfare of our member companies and their allied industries and trades.
- Promote the image of and information about beer wholesalers among various segments of the public, government, business and industry communities and to engage in other efforts as an Association and with other Associations, organizations and groups that promote objectives similar to those of the Pennsylvania Beer Wholesalers Association, its members and the alcohol beverage industry.
- Engage in any other legal activities and programs as may be desired and directed by the membership from time to time.
What we are up to:
- The Association has taken a new direction and has added new wholesaler members since July 2005.
- As you may have heard, PBWA has reached out to strengthen the relationship between the PBWA and MBDA
- We are now working together to ensure that our respective top priorities of strengthening the 3-tier system are addressed in the current legislative session
- PBWA strongly supports the licensed three tier distributing system for the sale of malt and brewed beverages in Pennsylvania and have been working on legislation to protect the franchise rights of our membership and to strengthen the existing distribution system.
- Now is the time when the industry is going to change, and we need to be extremely active in deciding what changes will be made.
- We are working to expand our efforts and to protect our industry by studying our direction and ensuring our vitality against hostile legislation
- PBWA is a valuable resource to policy makers and the public on alcohol regulation, educational programs designed to combat underage drinking and drunk driving; as well as assisting adult consumers with information on product availability in Pennsylvania.
- There are a lot of interests out there who would like a piece of your business
- Our mission is to ensure the future success of your business and our collective industry
- We are in the process of building a highly informative, interactive web site with public, and member only sections
- We provide a weekly email newsletter “Heard on the Hill” to our membership when the Legislature is in session. This contains legislative, and association news as well as other information of importance to our membership.
Our office is right here in Harrisburg (centrally located) to get the job done.
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