ABL Honors 16 Beverage Retailers at Annual Meeting

Brown-Forman Retailers of the Year Recognized for Commitment to the Beverage Industry

Bethesda, MD – June 24, 2016 – Sixteen retail beverage licensees were recognized asBrown-Forman Retailers of the Year for their success and dedication to the beverage alcohol industry at the ABL’s 14th Annual Meeting on June 13, 2016. The Brown-Forman Retailer of the Year awards recognize independent beverage business owners who engage in responsible sales and service of beverage alcohol, and who are committed to their state beverage associations. ABL congratulates all of the honored businesses and licensees for their outstanding contributions to the industry and their communities.

This year marks the 14th consecutive year that Brown-Forman, one of the world’s leading distilled spirits producers, has sponsored the awards, continuing their support of those who are the last to handle beverage products before they reach the hands of consumers.

2016 ROTY Winners Cropped

Pictured Left-to-Right: Warren Scheidt (ABL President) | Fredric Leighton | Judy Vordenbaum | Herb Chereck | Pete Jordan | Nancy Moran | Frank Gregory Phillips II | Don Bombace | Omar Malik | Kim Lawson | Stephen Abrams | Pete Gwizdala | Jim Ruffcorn (Brown-Forman)

Not Pictured: George Knightly | Carol Casey | Ralph Kaplan | Laura Fix | Doug Hinson

“Our continued work with Brown-Forman to recognize leading beverage retailers embodies the spirit of responsibility and partnership that is a hallmark of the beverage alcohol industry,” said ABL Executive Director John Bodnovich. “Independent beverage licensees, both on- and off-premise, foster a vibrant beverage marketplace while also upholding their responsibilities as licensed retailers. They understand the importance of safety and accountability when it comes to selling and serving beer, wine and spirits.”

The 2016 Brown-Forman Retailers of the Year include:

Pete Jordan
Pete’s Package
Troy, AL
 
Omar Malik
The Grape Leaf
Denver, CO
George Knightly
Knightly Liquors
Orlando, FL
Herb Chereck
Decatur Package Store
Decatur, GA
Pete Gwizdala
Crazy Time Pub & Grub
Machesney Park, IL
Carol Casey
Bar Barry Liquors
Lafayette, IN
Kim Lawson
Fishpaws Marketplace
Arnold, MD
Frank Gregory Phillips II
Frank’s Den
Glen Burnie, MD
Ralph Kaplan
Kappy’s Fine Wine & Spirits
Everett, MA
Laura Fix
Gold Island Casino/Island Liquor & Wine
Helena, MT
Fredric Leighton
Bayway World of Liquor
Elizabeth, NJ
Don Bombace
Bombace Wine & Spirits
Framington, NY
Doug Hinson
O’Darby’s Fine Wine & Spirits
Rock Hill, SC
Judy Vordenbaum
Judy’s Liquor
Fredericksburg, TX
Nancy Moran
Moran’s Landing
Tomahawk, WI
Stephan Abrams
The Liquor Store of Jackson Hole
Jackson, WY
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American Beverage Licensees is the preeminent national trade association for beverage alcohol retailers. Direct retail beverage alcohol sales in the United States generate as many as 1.77 million well-paying jobs. ABL’s thousands of on-premise and off-premise licensee members are independent and often family-owned establishments.  The beverage retailing industry pays over $19.3 billion in federal taxes and $16.9 billion in state and local taxes. To learn more about ABL, visit www.ablusa.org.