Tom serves as the American Distilled Spirits Alliance (ADSA) ‘s national director of state government affairs. As the Alliance’s lead state government affairs advisor, Tom focuses on state-level public policy and legislative issues deemed priorities by the ADSA Board of Directors.
With public policy, Tom is engaged in issues affecting spirits and alcohol, such as providing issue education, advising on control state versus open state structures, supporting responsible consumption, monitoring for demonization of alcohol, communicating with regulatory agencies, and participating in a host of work groups. With lobbying, Tom represents the interests of ADSA members by meeting with key legislators and providing research, comment letters, and testimony for or against spirits-related legislation and taxation that impacts ADSA member companies. Tom’s role also includes working closely with an array of stakeholders, lobbyists, and coalitions across the country to protect the competitive and tax-fairness landscape of the spirits and alcohol industry.
At an early age, his first job was swamping and stocking in his grandfather’s bar and grill in the gritty mining town of Butte, MT. There, he learned the value of hard work, handshakes, and hospitality while gaining his first awareness of business cycles and economics. Years later, friends, neighbors, and colleagues are well aware that Tom’s liquor cabinet is always stocked and open for business when gathering, socializing, and celebrating.
Prior to changing industries and joining ADSA, Tom had a successful career in financial services, serving as a community bank executive officer and director, president/CEO of a banking trade association, and regional government affairs manager for a large national bank. Like banking, ADSA operates in a highly regulated environment, making Tom a terrific fit as the Alliance’s first national Director of State Affairs.
When not working on state alcohol and tax issues or walking the halls of a state capitol, Tom spends quality time traveling with his wife (a career banker) and three adult daughters. He is an avid runner and golfer and serves on a number of business, political, and civic-related boards and committees.