"The Kentucky Guild of Brewers has hired its first paid executive director."

Read about the release of Kentucky Proud beers.

Straight up: The Kentucky Guild of Brewers (KGB) has a paid director, and apologies for being way overdue on this one. We were in New England when the story broke, and it wasn't until I was researching my most recent Food & Dining Magazine piece (it's about HopCat and will appear in the next issue) did I realize what had happened.

So, all due props to KGB and Derek Selznick, and thanks to Derek for his quote for the article. From my days on the Indiana guild board, I know that this move is going to help Kentucky breweries very much, especially on the lobbying front.

Ky. brewers guild hires first paid director, by Bailey Loosemore (Courier-Journal)

The Kentucky Guild of Brewers has hired its first paid executive director with help from a national nonprofit that promotes American craft brewers.

On Monday, the local organization announced it has selected Derek Selznick for the newly created position, which will be funded by the Brewers Association. Selznick will begin the role Sept. 6, according to a press release.

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Rob Caputo will serve as interim executive director of the Brewers of Indiana Guild after Lee Smith steps down.

There never was much of a public explanation as to why my friend Rob Caputo left Flat12 Bierwerks earlier this year, and it's not my objective here to speculate, but when he exited Flat12, he also left the board of the Brewers of Indiana Guild.

Now another friend, Lee Smith, is leaving her position as executive director of the guild, and Rob's filling in on an interim basis, pending the usual hiring process.

And: I'm gradually negotiating the sale of my share of NABC to my partners. When that's finished, I'll resign from the guild's board. Until it is, well, I'm not dead yet.

All the best to Lee headed one direction, and Rob another. Good people all around. At some point, when it's really necessary, I'll allow myself to think about how much I'll miss the many good folks in the brewing business -- and there are many.

Not yet, though. There's too much to do.

A Note from the President

As most of you are aware, the Guild's Executive Director, Lee Smith, will be stepping down at the end of the month.

Lee was this organization’s first Executive Director and helped us position ourselves as one of the nation’s best guilds. We wouldn’t be where we are today without her contribution. We thank her for her years of service and wish her the very best of luck in her future pursuits. Cheers, Lee!

Along that vein, we are proud to announce that Rob Caputo, former board member and Vice President, has accepted the role as Interim Executive Director through the end of the year. We look forward to utilizing Rob’s experience and organizational skills to lead us into the future. Welcome back to the team, Rob!

We will also be forming a hiring committee to begin the interview process for a long term replacement for the position. That process is scheduled to be completed by the end of the year.

Thanks to all for your support of Brewers of Indiana Guild!

Greg Emig
President
Brewers of Indiana Guild