The Brewers Association (BA) announced this morning that it has promoted Bob Pease, a 21-year veteran of the trade group, from COO to CEO.
The promotion, per a statement from the BA, “formalizes much of the responsibility that Pease has already progressively adopted,” since taking over as COO in 2010. In his new role, Pease’s duties will span the areas of personnel administration, government affairs, and export development. Pease will also oversee all financial, fiduciary, operational and functional areas of the BA, while serving as the organization’s key liaison to its board of directors.
“The title of CEO carries a lot of weight,” Pease told Brewbound. “What I’ll be doing is executing the strategic direction that the board provides to me. It’s business as usual.”
With the BA in the midst of its strategic planning process for 2015, Pease offered few specifics on new projects, but nonetheless shared a glimpse into what’s on tap for the coming months.
“You can look for enhanced capabilities in the areas of government affairs on behalf of our members,” he said. “And some exciting new programs and benefits for both members of the Brewers Association and the American Homebrewers Association.”
Pease was originally hired by the BA in 1993 as its customer service manager, before working his way up to become operations director. He was named vice president in 1999 and COO in 2010.
Charlie Papazian, president of the BA, will remain in his position.
“Bob has been performing many CEO-related duties for quite some time now,” Papazian said in a news release. “This title change is a natural evolution that recognizes Bob’s successively growing responsibilities here at the Brewers Association.”