ALEXANDRIA, Va. — The National Beer Wholesalers Association (NBWA), the leading advocate for America’s independent beer distributors, announced today it has named Lauren Kane as Vice President of Communications. Kane brings over 15 years of professional experience to NBWA having previously worked at the White House and the U.S. Department of the Treasury, in state government and the beverage industry. At NBWA, Kane will lead the association’s communications and public affairs team and oversee the association’s strategic and tactical communications activities.
“We are thrilled to welcome Lauren to the NBWA family,” said NBWA President and CEO Craig Purser. “She has an incredibly strong background in public affairs and communications. She also has worked on several hot-button state and local policy issues in the beverage industry. Lauren will be a key addition to our team as we expand our capabilities to better serve our members and partner with our state associations.”
“I am looking forward to working with the team at NBWA and to representing the interests of over 130,000 hard-working men and women of the independent beer distribution industry. Beer brings people together and so do America’s beer distributors,” said Kane.
Most recently, Kane served as Senior Director of Communications for the American Beverage Association (ABA), where she was the primary spokesperson for the nation’s non-alcoholic beverage industry. At ABA, she collaborated with member companies to develop and execute communications strategies on issues ranging from the industry’s pioneering initiative to reduce sugar and calories from beverages to promoting the association’s advocacy agenda.
Kane also has extensive experience working in government, both at the state and federal levels. Prior to her tenure at ABA, Kane was Director of Communications for Georgia Attorney General Samuel Olens, where she served as chief spokesperson and led all communications activities nationally and statewide. Earlier in her career, Kane served on the White House staff in the Office of Cabinet Affairs. She served in the U.S. Treasury Department Office of Public Affairs where she managed outreach to the business community and provided advice and communications assistance to the public during the 2008-09 financial crisis.
Kane has a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from the University of Georgia.