Craft Brew Alliance (CBA) today named longtime board member David Lord as its next Chairman.
Lord, who has served as a board member since the company was formed in 2008, will replace outgoing Chairman Kurt Widmer on January 1, 2016.
“I am honored to be elected Chairman of the Craft Brew Alliance Board of Directors,” Lord said in a statement. “It is amazing to see how far the company has grown since it was formed in 2008 by the union of Pacific Northwest heritage breweries, Widmer Brothers and Redhook. I look forward to working with CBA’s executive leadership, led by Andy Thomas, to continue positioning CBA for long-term growth and success.”
The announcement comes just two months after Kurt Widmer — who co-founded the Widmer Brothers Brewery with his brother Rob Widmer in 2984 — announced his resignation. He will continue to serve as “Chairman Emeritus.”
“I also want to take a moment to recognize the work of Kurt Widmer, who for more than 30 years dedicated his time and passion to building the Widmer Brothers brand, the development of CBA, and igniting the growth in the craft beer industry overall,” Lord added.
Lord has a long history with CBA and its brands — he also served on the Redhook Brewery board of director from 2003 — 2008.
“I’m really looking forward to continuing to work with our Board of Directors under Dave’s leadership,” Andy Thomas, the CEO of CBA, said in a statement. “He brings a wealth of insight and experience, both within and outside the craft beer industry, and has played a key role in enabling CBA’s evolution to the next level. It will be energizing to have his perspective as we continue realizing the CBA of tomorrow.”
Lord, who also serves on the boards of the Pioneers News Group Inc. and Wick Communications, was the president of Pioneer News Group from 1991 until 2009. He is the past president and chairman of the Inland Press Association, past president and chairman of the PAGE media buying cooperative, and a past director of the Associated Press.